PolyU joins the chase for third medical school

Staff reporter

The Polytechnic University is assembling an expert task force and drafting a proposal to seek government approval for establishing the city's third medical school.

The university plans to launch a four-year medical bachelor's program with approximately 50 per class, targeting second-degree students.

Its main competitor, the University for Science and Technology, is also discreetly consulting government officials about specifics of the new medical school, including facilities and positioning.

HKUST has formed a work group with experts to support the proposal.

In response to a query from Sing Tao Daily, The Standard's sister publication, PolyU said it attaches great importance to these preparations.

"We are now actively making preparations for the establishment of a task force comprised of experts from various fields and will submit a proposal to the government in a timely manner," PolyU said.

"The task force will provide professional advice on many aspects of the school, including strategic positioning, curriculum design, admission arrangements, teaching and training manpower requirements, teaching and research facilities, financial resources, etc."

It will eventually increase its quota and enroll non-locals in accordance with demand. The university has cultivated more than 50,000 health-care graduates such as physiotherapists and optometrists over the past four decades.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said in his policy address that the government will set up its own task force for the new medical school and invite universities to submit proposals.

After receiving proposals, the task force will finish the review by mid-2025, sources said.

Apart from PolyU and HKUST, Baptist University has also shown interest.

HKUST made an ambitious move on Monday in forming a council advisory group regarding the new medical school.

It is chaired by urologist Edward Leong Che-hung, who was formerly a lawmaker, an Executive Council member and chairman of the Hospital Authority.

It has lined up prominent experts such as ex-British health minister Ara Darzi, US-based researcher David Ho Dai-i, who championed combination therapy for HIV/AIDS, 2006 Nobel chemistry laureate Roger Kornberg and Singaporean ophthalmologist Wong Tien Yin.

A Legislative Council insider said HKUST has been "building up a head of steam." It is already searching for public relations agencies and has set aside a rough budget for new faculty.

Despite its efforts, the insider said the government will still need to invite other universities to submit a proposal.