The government has chosen the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) to run the city’s third medical school, with the first cohort of students expected to enrol in 2028.
Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau said on Tuesday that the Executive Council, Hong Kong’s top decision-making body, had approved HKUST’s bid for the third medical school, following the recommendation of a group of experts tasked with reviewing proposals from three local universities.
Alongside HKUST, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) also submitted proposals in mid-March.
Lo said at a press conference that HKUST’s bid was chosen because it had a “very sharp strategic positioning” and a “very wide global outlook.”
The experts found that HKUST “would have a certain advantage in terms of future competitiveness and attractiveness for teaching staff and students, as well as in science and research,” Lo said in Cantonese.
The university has also pledged to invest HK$200 million to build a new facility in Clear Water Bay, near its main campus, Lo said.
The new building will serve as the interim campus for the third medical school before the designated campus in Ngau Tam Mei, in the Northern Metropolis, is ready in 2034.
The first cohort of 50 students is expected to enrol in 2028 and graduate in 2032, Lo said.
Financial capability
The health chief also mentioned HKUST’s deeper wallet, with the university proposing to share the investment in the third medical school equally with the government.
“Covering areas like infrastructure and operational funding, [HKUST] is promising an investment that is roughly the same as the government’s for the next 25 years,” Lo said. “It’s almost one-to-one.”
Lo said financial capability was one of the 10 criteria that the group of experts considered when assessing the proposals, adding that “the majority” of the experts favoured HKUST.
Shortly after, HKUST issued a statement. “The University expresses its deepest gratitude to the HKSAR Government for its trust and to the dedicated Task Group on New Medical School for its thorough and rigorous assessment throughout the selection process,” it said.
“This approval represents a significant advance in addressing Hong Kong’s future healthcare needs through an innovative, interdisciplinary approach to medical education.”
PolyU said in a press release on Tuesday that it was “disappointed” at not having been chosen, but it “fully respects” the government’s decision and congratulated HKUST.
Likewise, Alex Wai, president and vice-chancellor of HKBU, expressed his respect for the government’s decision and congratulated HKUST, according to the university’s statement.
Lo said the third medical school would better equip Hong Kong to tackle a chronic manpower crunch in the medical sector and the city’s ageing population.
It could also introduce competition and complement the two existing medical schools, which are operated by the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, he added.
Northern Metropolis
The plan for a third medical school was first announced by Chief Executive John Lee in his Policy Address last year as part of the government’s project for a university town located in the sprawling Northern Metropolis.
The campus for the third medical school and an integrated medical teaching and research hospital are proposed to be built on a site in Ngau Tam Mei, which will form part of the university town.
Lo said on Tuesday that the university town plan was still underway despite HKUST’s plan to build an interim facility in Clear Water Bay for the third medical school.
HKUST will announce details of its proposal in due course, he added.
