The Hong Kong government officially approved the establishment of the territory’s third medical school, tasking the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) with its ambitious development. This significant decision, formalized Tuesday afternoon following a recommendation from a government task force, aims to dramatically integrate medical education with advanced scientific research, bolstering the city’s ambition to become an international hub for medical innovation.
The decision was jointly announced by the Health Bureau and the Education Bureau at the Government Headquarters, confirming that HKUST was selected over proposals submitted by Baptist University and Polytechnic University. Key criteria considered by the Administration Council, chaired by the Chief Executive, included the university’s unique strategic alignment with innovation, its global outlook, faculty strength, and quality of clinical experience. Officials expressed confidence that HKUST’s approach will provide “beneficial complementarity” to the two established medical institutions currently operating in the special administrative region.
HKUST Commits Billions to New Infrastructure
To jumpstart the project, HKUST has committed to financing part of the new institution using its own resources, including a significant portion derived from working funds and external donations. Crucially, the university will self-finance a HK$2 billion integrated complex at its Clear Water Bay campus to serve as a transitional facility while planning progresses for the permanent site in the Northern Metropolis area, specifically near the proposed Ngau Tam Mei teaching hospital.
The government has pledged substantial support, reserving resources for the medical school’s long-term growth and allocating University Grants Committee (UGC) funding for its new academic positions and operating costs. The proposed financial model mandates an approximate 1:1 government-to-university funding ratio over the next 25 years, aligning with the government’s co-financing policy.
The primary goal is for the inaugural cohort of 50 medical students to enroll in the new program by 2028, with their graduation anticipated in 2032.
Enhancing Research and Global Competitiveness
Officials highlighted that HKUST’s proposal offered a distinct strategic advantage, merging biomedical research and clinical science directly into the curriculum. This focus on global perspective and research integration is expected to give the new school an edge in recruiting top-tier faculty and attracting diverse, high-calibre students.
The government’s selection process was rigorous, analyzing proposals against ten detailed criteria, including curriculum design, recruitment strategies, financial sustainability, and admissions protocols. The assessment was not based on a simple scoring system but rather a comprehensive, professional evaluation of the overall merit and synergy each proposal offered.
“The synergistic innovation and compounding effects generated by a third medical school are expected to collectively enhance the level of research and medical education in Hong Kong,” a bureau representative stated. Though the proposals from Baptist University and Polytechnic University were lauded for their visionary elements, the consensus favored HKUST’s robust financial and academic framework.
Focus on Language Proficiency and Enrollment Policy
Education Bureau Secretary Choi Yuk-lin addressed concerns regarding student recruitment, particularly the mix of local and non-local students. While the current cap on non-local students admitted through over-enrollment stands at 50% across tertiary institutions, medical programs require specialized workforce planning.
“We will closely monitor enrollment dynamics, particularly the ratio between local and non-local students,” Ms. Choi confirmed.
Recognizing Hong Kong’s status as an international city, the Health Bureau stressed the imperative for medical professionals to possess strong multilingual communication skills (often referred to as “two languages and three dialects”—Cantonese, English, and Putonghua). Consequently, HKUST may impose specific language requirements for admission, and the curriculum is expected to heavily emphasize communication capability.
For non-local graduates, the existing Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) scheme remains applicable, allowing them a 24-month post-graduation period to stay and seek employment in Hong Kong, a policy applicable to those graduating from the new medical program. The development of the third medical school signals a major step toward strengthening Hong Kong’s internal healthcare workforce while cultivating an environment ripe for international medical collaboration and discovery.
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