HKBU forms expert advisory committee for new medical school proposal

Baptist University has announced the formation of an expert advisory committee comprising Nobel Laureates and leading professionals in medicine and healthcare to support its proposal for establishing a third medical school in the SAR. 

This development follows the university's announcement last November regarding its intention to create a new medical school, positioning itself in competition with the University of Science and Technology and Polytechnic University.

Among the distinguished members of the committee is British scientist Michael Houghton, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2020 for his discovery of the Hepatitis C virus. 

He also serves on the preparatory committee for HKBU's proposed medical school.

HKBU President Alexander Wai Ping-kong said the collective expertise of Sir Houghton and the committee members -- spanning clinical practice, teaching, innovation, research and development -- will be crucial in shaping the planning and future initiatives of the new medical school. 

The expert advisory committee also includes prominent local medical experts such as Felix Chan Hon-wai, honorary clinical professor at the University of Hong Kong, Samuel Kwok Po-yin, president of the Association of Private Medical Specialists of Hong Kong, Luk Che-chung, former Hospital Authority Cluster Chief Executive, as well as Albert Wong Kwai-huen, chairman of the HKBU Chinese Medicine Hospital Company. 

Also, the committee features experts from the Greater Bay Area and beyond, including Song Erwei, president of The Second Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, as well as Zhang Kang, chairman of the World Association of Chinese Eye Doctors.

Last month, the university announced a partnership with The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, as part of its initiative to establish the third medical school. 

(Eunice Lam)