Hong Kong Chinese University said Tuesday it will conduct a number of research projects on SARS, AIDS tuberculosis, gastroenteritis and hepatitis.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government granted the university 25 million HK dollars (3.2 million US dollars ) to support a portfolio of research spanning five years that is expected to produce results from a minimum of 30 research projects.

Speaking at the contract signing ceremony for the commissioned projects Tuesday, Hong Kong Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food Yeoh Eng-kiong said the university is internationally recognized for its leadership in synthesizing knowledge during the initial

phase of the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) outbreak and its outstanding research in hepatitis and related diseases.

He said the funds will further consolidate their initiatives through a focused program involving clinical trails and public health research on emerging infectious diseases.

According to the university, research will focus on two key areas, epidemiological studies on features of infectious diseases, and the impact of infectious diseases on stigmatization, mental health, social support, risk perception and responses, use of health services and behavioral changes.

This is the second batch of research projects commissioned by the bureau under a research fund for the control of infectious diseases. It earlier commissioned a portfolio of research projects to Hong Kong University.