Adviser talks up HKUST 'potential' as third medical school

Staff reporter

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology aims to cultivate doctors with academic achievements similar to microbiologist Yuen Kwok-yung, with the proposed establishment of a third medical school in the SAR, says Edward Leong Che-hung, chairman of its Council Advisory Group.

HKUST is among three local universities - together with Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Baptist University - vying to set up a new medical school in addition to the existing Chinese University and University of Hong Kong medical schools.

The government last month said it would set up a task force on the new medical school and invite universities to submit proposals. Authorities are set to discuss the selection criteria by the end of this month.

In an interview with Sing Tao Daily, The Standard's sister publication, Leong said HKUST has a strong research background and experience in life science and artificial intelligence, while it has been actively developing biomedicine-related research in line with the government's vision of promoting innovative technology.

HKUST "definitely has the potential" to set up a medical school focusing on medical-related research, he said. "As long as we have the will to do it, while there are so many academics out there, how can we not get it done?"

Earlier this month, HKUST formed a council advisory group for the potential school, led by urologist Leong, who is also a former lawmaker, ex-Executive Council member and former Hospital Authority chairman.

The advisory group also includes experts, such as former British health minister Ara Darzi, US-based researcher David Ho Dai-i, who invented cocktail therapy for HIV/Aids, 2006 Nobel laureate for chemistry Roger Kornberg and Singaporean ophthalmologist Wong Tien-yin.

Citing HKU microbiologist Yuen as an example, Leong hoped to train doctors with both clinical and academic achievements.

"I only hope Hong Kong citizens and the government will agree with our philosophy," Leong said about the chances of getting the new medical school.

He emphasized that HKUST's potential school would uphold the "complementary" principle to differentiate itself from the existing ones, and will not compete for students with CUHK and HKU.

He also agreed that it will target students who hope to pursue a second undergraduate degree.

Leong said he would arrange the first physical meeting for the advisory group in Hong Kong as soon as possible and is confident that HKUST can recruit top medical talents for the school.

Asked about the financial plan, he said he was only responsible for helping the government and the university's council to understand the philosophy and background behind the new school.

"When the government says 'you can do it,' then it would be [the university] that would be responsible for raising funds," Leong said.