HKUST aims to establish third medical school despite questions on resources, staff

Ayra Wang and Eunice Lam

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology aims to establish the city's third medical school, according to president Nancy Ip Yuk-yu.

She said that a planning committee has been formed to study the blueprint and budget for the proposed medical school, adding the importance of consulting with various stakeholders, including the government, health-care and hygiene sector, education sector and funding institutions throughout the process.

However, Philip Chiu Wai-yan, the newly appointed dean of the Chinese University of Hong Kong medical school, raised concerns about the feasibility of establishing a third medical school in Hong Kong.

He questioned whether the city possesses adequate resources, teaching staff, teaching materials and support from the Hospital Authority for an additional medical school. But he acknowledged the need to promote medical education in the face of a shortage of medical professionals.

Speaking at a spring reception, Ip revealed the medical school plans to admit 50 students with bachelor's degrees initially and gradually increase that number to 150.

In an effort to diversify the student body, she said: "Graduates from non-medical disciplines such as engineering, chemistry and biology will also be considered for admission if they have a strong interest in medicine."

HKUST also intends to collaborate with an experienced European university to develop curricula for the medical school. Ip said the university is interested in building a new satellite campus in the Northern Metropolis' university town.

She said this satellite campus would focus on interdisciplinary education, medicine, innovation and technology, while facilitating connections between HKUST's main campus in Clear Water Bay, its Guangzhou campus and research centers in other cities within the Greater Bay Area.

Chiu emphasized the positive impact of competition and welcomed the presence of multiple medical schools. He used the analogy of a football match, where competitors can come together and enjoy camaraderie afterward. "Just like a football match, although we are competitors in the game, we can drink beer afterward," Chiu said.

He said his aspiration is for CUHK's medical school to rank among the top 20 globally. Chiu acknowledged the challenges faced by faculty concerning the shortage of teaching staff and mentioned that over 80 teachers and researchers were hired in the past year, with 10 potential candidates in consideration.

Regarding infrastructure, he said that the new teaching and scientific research complex, which is scheduled to be finished in 2027, will be put to good use. Lawmakers doubted the new complex last December for its HK$3.3 billion construction costs.

He said the importance of investing in the building is to ensure its long-term relevance and prevent it from becoming outdated. Upon completion, the school aims to increase its annual intake of medical students from 290 to 400, pending approval from the University Grant Committee.

Chiu also revealed plans to introduce a course on the use of artificial intelligence for CUHK medical students, with the aim of making it available as early as the next school year starting in September.