The Board of Governors of Tung Wah College (TWC) announced the appointment of Professor Lo Tit Wing, Francis, as the Vice President (Research and Innovation) with effect from 2 November 2026.

In this role, Professor Lo will lead TWC’s research strategy and planning, and will drive innovative research, knowledge transfer, and translation of research outcomes. He will align applied research with societal needs, further elevate the College's research competitiveness and impact, and make greater contributions to Hong Kong, the nation, and the international community.

Professor Francis Lo is an internationally renowned and distinguished scholar with more than three decades of experience in higher education and extensive expertise in academic research and university governance. Before joining TWC, he was Vice President (Research and Development) at Saint Francis University, where he strengthened the institution's research culture, promoted its strategic development, and played a pivotal role in its successful transition to university status.

Before that, Professor Lo worked at the City University of Hong Kong, where he held several senior academic and administrative positions: Associate Vice-President (Student Affairs), Head of the Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, and Professor in that Department. During his tenure, he received the Applied Research Excellence Award, the Excellence in Knowledge Transfer Award, and the Teaching Excellence Award. He made significant contributions to academic development, research strategies, student engagement, and university management.

Professor Sally Chan, President of TWC, said, “Professor Lo is an acclaimed scholar in the fields of social work and criminology, with outstanding achievements in academia, strategic leadership, and research excellence. With his extensive academic expertise and rich management experience, Professor Lo's arrival will help the College further expand its academic development in his professional fields, lead our research teams in conducting forward-looking and impactful research, promote interdisciplinary and industry-academia-research collaborations, and translate research outcomes into real societal impact, thereby driving the College toward becoming a leading University of Applied Sciences in the Asia-Pacific region.”

As an internationally recognised researcher, Professor Lo has established an illustrious track record in criminology, social policy, youth development, rehabilitation, and social work. Over the years, he has secured substantial competitive and commissioned research funding from the Research Grants Council (RGC), government agencies, charitable foundations, and industry partners. He has led numerous large-scale research projects on youth development, rehabilitation services, caregiver support, social work practice, and drug abuse prevention. His scholarly contributions include 12 books and more than 200 refereed journal articles, book chapters, and research reports. His work has not only advanced theoretical development but has also been translated into lasting policy and service innovations, including: contributing to the establishment of the Rehabilitation Division and the Rehabilitation Centres for young offenders in the Hong Kong Correctional Services Department; formulating a service blueprint for at-risk youth; promoting residential care services for children and new rehabilitation measures for young offenders; and leading the formulation of the Ten-Year Rehabilitation Programme Plan (2016–2025) for the Macau SAR Government. He has also advised the governments of Singapore and Guangzhou on the development of youth outreach services and preventive intervention strategies, expanding his professional influence across multiple regions in Asia.

Professor Lo holds a PhD in Criminology from the University of Cambridge and is a Registered Social Worker in Hong Kong.