The establishment of Hong Kong's third medical school, a significant step in developing the city into an international hub for medical innovation, education, and talent, moved forward today as the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, and the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, announced the latest preparations.
Professor Lo revealed that the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has been recommended by the Task Group on New Medical School to establish the city's third medical school.
The new medical school and its affiliated teaching hospital will be built in Ngau Tam Mei of the Northern Metropolis. The first intake of 50 medical students is expected in 2028, with the first cohort of graduates beginning their internships in 2032. This initiative aims to train more doctors to support the local healthcare system and propel Hong Kong's status as an international medical hub. HKUST will adopt a "differentiated development" strategy to distinguish itself from the existing medical schools.
Location: Northern Metropolis University Town
Development Goals: To cultivate more doctors and enhance the standard of medical education and research in Hong Kong.
Differentiated Development: A strategy to ensure diverse development and complement existing medical schools.
Student Intake: The first batch will comprise 50 medical students.
The government has been progressively releasing details of the Northern Metropolis development. The preliminary planning proposal for the 127-hectare Ngau Tam Mei area, announced on Nov. 13, designates 46 hectares for a university town, including the third medical school. During the transition period, the medical school will be temporarily housed at HKUST's Clear Water Bay campus. The university will self-fund HK$2 billion for a comprehensive medical school building there, while the government has reserved resources to support the school's development and will fund the new student places through University Grants Committee allocations.
Regarding student recruitment, Dr Choi stated that while the current non-local student quota for over-enrolment is 50%, medicine is a discipline with specific manpower planning needs. The intake situation and the ratio between local and non-local students will be closely monitored. For non-local students who may face language barriers, Dr Choi expressed confidence that the university would arrange relevant language support courses. The current Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) scheme will also apply to graduates of the new medical program.
Professor Lo emphasized the desire for healthcare professionals to be proficient in "biliteracy and trilingualism," indicating that the third medical school would make adaptations in this area, potentially setting certain language requirements upon entry and incorporating communication skills into the curriculum.
Educational Focus and Research Direction:
Professor Lo stated the goal is to cultivate "doctor-scientists." He highlighted HKUST's strengths in life sciences, artificial intelligence, and big data, noting that the new school will integrate research with science to leverage these advantages.
Dr Choi expressed confidence that HKUST would utilize its strengths to introduce innovative curriculum designs and diverse admission arrangements, shouldering the responsibility of nurturing future medical talent. She added that this would drive the university's overall development, promote interdisciplinary and cross-sector collaboration, and become a new engine supporting the advancement of Hong Kong's higher education.
Timeline Summary:
Oct 16, 2024: The Policy Address announces the preparatory plan.
Oct 17, 2024: The Preparatory Task Force is established.
November 2024: HKUST, PolyU, and HKBU begin preparations for submissions.
March 17, 2025: Deadline for formal proposal submissions.
May 3, 2025: Task Force holds in-depth meetings with the three universities.
Nov 18, 2025: Government announces HKUST as the recommended institution.
2028: Expected first student intake.
2032: Expected graduation of the first cohort.
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