CityUHK Laboratory Safety Manager honoured at IOSH Awards, a first in Hong Kong
Mr Terry Leung Tin-lung of the Laboratory Safety Unit (LSU) at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), has been recognised by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) with the OSH Leader of the Year Award in the education and public services category. Mr Leung was the only awardee from Hong Kong in this newly established award, showcasing CityUHK’s laboratory safety practices on an international stage.
The IOSH Awards recognise outstanding contributions to occupational safety and health, while the OSH Leader of the Year Awards celebrate individuals who inspire, influence and drive meaningful change in their organisation. These awards honour leaders who innovate compliance to embed safety, wellbeing and inclusion at the core of organisational culture.
A CityUHK alumnus, Mr Leung joined CityUHK as a research assistant after graduation, and acquired expertise in laboratory safety from various institutions. He returned to the University in 2020 in the newly established LSU, and has undertaken the role of a Senior Laboratory Safety Manager since 2025. Overseeing the safety of more than 500 laboratories on campus, his team has sustained a 100% compliance record across all major ordinances.
Mr Leung is a safety professional with numerous credentials, including Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM), and Chartered Member of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (CMIOSH). Recently, he was awarded Fellowship of the Association of Higher Education Professionals, in recognition of his dedication to administrative and leadership excellence in the higher education sector.
The judges highly commended Mr Leung’s achievements, commenting, “The ‘4E’ leadership strategy (Education, Engineering, Enforcement, Execution) by Mr Leung offers an interesting way of structuring the objectives, with clear links between the objectives and the actions taken. The entry demonstrates clear leadership practices and the use of technology in interesting and effective ways.”
“This award is both a personal honour and professional validation,” said Mr Leung. “It recognises a long-standing commitment to embedding safety into the research culture rather than merely fulfilling administrative requirements. It also affirms CityUHK’s role as a leader in occupational safety and health within the education sector, while showcasing the ability of Hong Kong universities to set world-class standards and serve as a benchmark for institutions worldwide.”
Operating under the Office of the Vice-President (Research), the LSU is dedicated to fostering a culture of safety and health among laboratory personnel. The Office of the Vice-President (Research) has consistently provided strategic guidance and resource support to the LSU, assisting in the formulation and promotion of university-wide laboratory safety policies. Notably, CityUHK is a pioneer among local universities in implementing an electronic system to manage chemical and radiation safety, as well as conducting risk assessments, further enhancing the standard of laboratory safety management.