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HKU Medical School Dean Gabriel Leung resigns

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  1. #11

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    Quote Originally Posted by merchantms:
    The article I read said the current guy holding the Jockey Club role is leaving this summer. So it’s probably just timing - he has to leave now to take it. And yes assumed it was mainly a $$$ decision but quality of life is probably better too.
    With a break from the endless hassles of politics and a new position that pays very well, his decision to leave is a natural one.
    merchantms and hongkong7 like this.

  2. #12

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    And yes assumed it was mainly a $$$ decision but quality of life is probably better too.
    HKJC does do a lot charity work with starving ex-govt officials.

    (This doc is an ex govt official ..)
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  3. #13

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    Quote Originally Posted by binance345:
    With a break from the endless hassles of politics and a new position that pays very well, his decision to leave is a natural one.
    Well, there is politics at HKJC as well. The JC is not just for horse racing. It is different from other private clubs in HK in that it has an outsized role in funding social services, ngos, community and educational welfare facilities.

    For example, the JC was responsible for providing funding to build Ocean Park back in the 70s, the HK Sports Institute in the early 80s and the HK Academy for Performing Arts in the mid 80s.

    In a way, it is even more important than the social welfare department. The government "subcontracts" a lot of social welfare it otherwise would have to do itself to the JC.

    Ironic that the bulk of JC's funding for social services comes from gambling bets on the races, arguably a social ill. Using a social ill to fund social services...interesting don't you think?
    Last edited by Coolboy; 22-11-2021 at 03:03 PM.
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  4. #14

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    Quote Originally Posted by Coolboy:
    Well, there is politics at HKJC as well. The JC is not just for horse racing. It is different from other private clubs in HK in that it has an outsized role in funding social services, ngos, community and educational welfare facilities.

    For example, the JC was responsible for providing funding to build Ocean Park back in the 70s, the HK Sports Institute in the early 80s and the HK Academy for Performing Arts in the mid 80s.

    In a way, it is even more important than the social welfare department. The government "subcontracts" a lot of social welfare it otherwise would have to do itself to the JC.

    Ironic that the bulk of JC's funding for social services comes from gambling bets on the races, arguably a social ill. Using a social ill to fund social services...interesting don't you think?
    At least the new position will not be the focus of the political spotlight, so why not?

  5. #15

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    Quote Originally Posted by binance345:
    At least the new position will not be the focus of the political spotlight, so why not?
    True, but the new position isn't necessarily an easy job either. It may be easier relative to being dean at HKU medical school, but its not exactly a job where the most important thing of the day is somply to show up to punch in your work hours. As a sizeable organization with implications on HK's social well-being, there is plenty of internal office politics at HKJC.
    Last edited by Coolboy; 22-11-2021 at 03:58 PM.

  6. #16

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    Quote Originally Posted by Coolboy:
    Ironic that the bulk of JC's funding for social services comes from gambling bets on the races, arguably a social ill. Using a social ill to fund social services...interesting don't you think?
    I think that is a historic quid pro to allow them a monopoly on gambling in HK
    Coolboy likes this.

  7. #17

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    Quote Originally Posted by Corrib:
    I think that is a historic quid pro to allow them a monopoly on gambling in HK
    Yeah, HK is not Las Vegas, allowing for gambling must require some corresponding positive contribution to society. Which is basically the deal for JC in HK. They operate a legal monopoly on all forms of gambling in HK. That is a lot of revenue. But in return, the government stipulated the JC must operate on a non-profit basis and make them fund social, education and community service and facilities.

    Of course, not everyone accepts this...social contract. There are ngos in HK who refuse money from the HKJC, because they see the money as "dirty money" of gambling. I am not going to judge whether they are right or wrong. They can decide for themselves and accept the consequence of their decision.
    Last edited by Coolboy; 23-11-2021 at 07:27 PM.