HONG KONG, November 18 – In a significant move aimed at bolstering the territory’s strained healthcare system, Hong Kong officials today announced the selection of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) to spearhead the establishment of the city’s third medical school. The announcement, made jointly by the Health Bureau and the Education Bureau, follows an intensive review process assessing proposals from several top local universities.
The long-anticipated decision, unveiled during a press conference at the Central Government Offices, will see HKUST begin preparations for the new institution, which is slated to be located in the strategically important Northern Metropolis development area. This expansion marks a pivotal moment for Hong Kong, currently served primarily by two established medical faculties at the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Rigorous Criteria Guided Selection
The drive to create a third school stems from a government initiative responding to a perennial shortage of doctors and healthcare professionals. A dedicated preparatory working group finalized its assessment in July, outlining ten stringent criteria used to evaluate the submissions from HKUST, Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU).
These benchmarks included detailed scrutiny of curriculum design, faculty recruitment strategies, admissions policies, and, crucially, financial viability and long-term sustainability. The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau provided assistance during the financial analysis phase, ensuring the proposed model was both feasible and fiscally responsible.
Sources familiar with the process confirmed that the working group recommended HKUST based on the strength of its overall proposal. While HKUST is renowned for its science and engineering prowess, its bid likely emphasized an innovative, technology-driven approach to medical education, aligning with global trends in digital health and biomedical research.
Northern Metropolis to House New Campus
The spatial planning for the new medical complex centers on the Northern Metropolis, Hong Kong’s ambitious plan for future growth near the border with mainland China.
According to development plans submitted to the Legislative Council last November, the new teaching hospital affiliated with the medical school is tentatively planned for a site within approximately a 15-minute walk of the proposed San Tin/Lok Ma Chau Loop station area (previously referred to in planning documents near Ngau Tam Mei). This placement underscores the government’s commitment to growing healthcare infrastructure outside the congested urban core and embedding key social services within the new development zone.
The establishment of the third medical school is projected to significantly increase the annual intake of local medical students, offering a pipeline of homegrown talent crucial for meeting increasing healthcare demands driven by an aging population.
Next Steps and Timeline
With HKUST selected as the operator, the government anticipates submitting the final recommendation to the Chief Executive for formal approval before the end of the year. This decision will unlock the necessary funding and administrative support needed for HKUST to proceed from the planning stage to establishing the physical campus and academic structure.
The focus now shifts to how quickly HKUST can implement its vision, recruit specialized faculty, and harmonize its proposed curriculum with the intense clinical training standards required by the Hong Kong Medical Council. Experts suggest that the speed of execution will be critical, given the urgency of addressing the healthcare manpower shortfall. The successful launch of this new institution could redefine medical education in Hong Kong, leveraging technology to train a new generation of doctors prepared for the challenges of the 21st century.
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