HKUST Advances Preparatory Work for School of Medicine with Steady Progress in Infrastructure, Curriculum Development and Global Talent Recruitment

In less than a year since receiving Government approval to establish Hong Kong's third medical school, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has achieved a series of major milestones, including the advancement of key infrastructure, the completion of its curriculum framework, and the recruitment of internationally renowned academic and clinical leaders.

HKUST is building a new-generation medical school that integrates medicine, technology and innovation while meeting the highest professional and academic standards. Key milestones over the past year include the groundbreaking of the HKUST Medical Education and Research Complex (the Complex) in April and the appointment of Prof. King LI as Founding Dean in June, marking the transition from planning to implementation.

More recently, HKUST signed a memorandum of understanding with the HKSAR Government outlining the framework for the proposed medical school, covering curriculum accreditation, financial arrangements, faculty recruitment, clinical teaching and capital works. In his latest Policy Address, the Chief Executive reaffirmed the Government's support for the project, including plans for Kai Tak Hospital to serve as an interim teaching hospital and the integrated development of the future medical school campus and teaching hospital in the San Tin University Town.

Prof. Nancy IP, President of HKUST, said HKUST’s School of Medicine (SMED) has entered a new phase of development following a year of steady progress in infrastructure planning, academic development, talent recruitment and partnership building. "Over the past year, we have achieved several important milestones in laying the foundation for SMED. We are particularly encouraged by the strong support received from the Government, healthcare sector and wider community, as well as our success in attracting internationally respected academic leaders, clinicians and scientists to join us. Their decision to become part of this journey is a strong vote of confidence in HKUST's vision and in Hong Kong's future as a hub for medical education, research and healthcare innovation.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the HKSAR Government, especially the Task Group on New Medical School, for their steadfast support. The Government's support, including the interim teaching hospital arrangement, has provided a strong foundation for us to prepare for the admission of our inaugural cohort in 2028," noted President Ip.

“Construction of the Medical Education and Research Complex is progressing rapidly,” said Prof. King Li, Founding Dean of HKUST School of Medicine. "With the successful topping-out of the Complex last week, we have reached a key stage in our preparations for the development of HKUST's School of Medicine. The Complex is progressing according to schedule and, upon completion, will provide state-of-the-art facilities to support medical education, research, innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration.”

"We have also made very encouraging progress in faculty recruitment, attracting outstanding clinical, academic and research talent from around the world," Dean Li added. “On academic development, we have finalized the overarching framework and structure of our future-oriented medical curriculum, drawing on the University's strengths in science, engineering, AI, data science and emerging technologies. We remain confident of meeting the target in admitting the first cohort of 50 students in the 2028/29 academic year. Our goal is to nurture   competent, safe, compassionate and ethical doctors to serve the community.”

Looking ahead, President Ip said the University is entering a new phase of development as preparations gather pace for the launch of the School. "The progress achieved over the past year reflects the shared commitment of the HKUST community, our partners and stakeholders to shaping the future of healthcare education and innovation. While important milestones have been reached, our focus is now firmly on the next set of priorities. These include continuing to attract and recruit outstanding clinical, academic and research talent from around the world, further enriching a future-oriented curriculum that leverages HKUST's strengths in medicine, artificial intelligence, engineering, data science and emerging technologies."

President Ip concluded, “Our vision extends beyond building a new medical school. We see SMED as a catalyst for advancing healthcare innovation, talent development and economic growth in Hong Kong. Together with our broader efforts in the Northern Metropolis, we aim to support Hong Kong's long-term development priorities and the nation's 15th Five-Year Plan. By bringing education, research, healthcare and industry into a closely connected ecosystem, we can foster a powerful cycle of talent cultivation, scientific discovery, clinical translation and enterprise growth, accelerate the translation of research into impactful healthcare solutions, and ultimately improve health outcomes for Hong Kong, the region and beyond."