Full Breakdown
Former HKUST Professor Remanded Over Bribery for Postgraduate Admission
5/14/2026, 10:57:56 PM
Background & Context
As programme director for the master’s programme in environmental health and safety at HKUST, Liu Hongbin reviewed applications and conducted interviews to determine eligibility for the 2025-26 intake. This authority let him shortlist candidates and recommend admissions. The programme director’s authority includes deciding which applicants advance to interview.
Corruption Case: Liu Hongbin Remanded for Bribery
A Kwun Tong Court hearing on Wednesday remanded Liu Hongbin, 63, former chair professor of the ocean science department at HKUST. Liu was charged with accepting a HK$40,000 (US$5,109) bribe and offering red packets to two colleagues to help a mainland Chinese student gain entry to a master’s programme in environmental health and safety for the 2025-26 academic year. He remains in custody pending sentencing. The alleged misconduct occurred during the 2025-26 admission cycle.
Key Figures and Their Roles
- Liu Hongbin – Chair professor and programme director who reviewed applications and interviewed candidates for the master’s programme.
- Lin Zhengxi – Final-year Shenzhen university student in automotive service engineering who sought admission despite lacking the required GPA and relevant background.
- Priscilla Lam Pui-ling – Insurance agent and Liu’s friend who requested assistance, stating “people connected to Lin” could pay “a few tens of thousands of dollars.”
- Leung Shui-yee – Fellow lecturer instructed by Liu to shortlist Lin for an interview despite the student’s ineligible credentials.
Timeline of the Admission Fraud
- March–May 2025 – Period Liu allegedly arranged for Lin’s application to be shortlisted despite academic deficiencies.
- Wednesday (court date unspecified) – Kwun Tong Court hearing where Liu was remanded.
Data & Statistics
The illicit payment was HK$40,000 (US$5,109). Two colleagues received red packets. The admission process spanned March–May 2025.
Details of the Bribe and Procedural Abuse
Liu accepted a HK$40,000 cash payment and gave red packets to two colleagues, including Leung, to manipulate admissions. The red packets were given to the two colleagues as part of the scheme. He directed Leung to place Lin on the interview shortlist, bypassing the programme’s GPA requirement and the relevance of Lin’s automotive service engineering background. The admission targeted the master’s degree in environmental health and safety for the 2025-26 intake.
Legal Outcome and Pending Sentencing
After the hearing, Liu was ordered to remain in custody while the court determines his sentence. The source gives no further details on the custodial period or charges beyond bribery and abuse of authority.
Verbatim Quote
> “people connected to Lin” could pay “a few tens of thousands of dollars” in return. — Priscilla Lam Pui-ling, insurance agent
Why It Matters
The case highlights concerns about the integrity of university admissions and shows how academic authority can be exploited for financial gain, prompting scrutiny of safeguards.
