HKUST-Nurtured Startup SmartCare and CUHK Medical Centre Join Forces to Enhance AI-Driven Healthcare Solutions
SmartCare Technology Co. Limited (SmartCare), a Healthtech innovator nurtured by The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) joins hands with CUHK Medical Centre (CUHKMC) to announce a significant partnership aimed at advancing healthcare delivery through innovative artificial intelligence (AI) solutions. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony marks a strategic commitment to co-develop AI technology solutions for healthcare settings.
This collaboration will harness SmartCare’s expertise in healthcare AI technology and CUHKMC’s commitment to providing exceptional healthcare services. The partnership aims to implement advanced AI technology to enhance clinical workflows, improve patient care, and streamline operational efficiency within CUHKMC’s facilities.
Under the MoU, SmartCare, a startup born from HKUST’s Department of Computer Science and Engineering, will provide its cutting-edge AI technology solutions, including a patient-centred consultation platform, while CUHKMC will facilitate access to its AI Lab for the development and integration of these solutions. The collaboration is set to pave the way for the deployment of innovative tools that will transform patient experience and improve healthcare outcomes.
Dr. Justin CHENG, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of SmartCare, added, “We are excited to collaborate with CUHKMC to revolutionise healthcare delivery. Our AI-powered solutions are designed to optimise clinical workflows, allowing healthcare providers to focus on what matters most—patient care. Together, we are setting a new standard for innovation in the healthcare sector.”
Dr. FUNG Hong, Chief Executive Officer of CUHK Medical Centre, said, “The partnership with SmartCare represents our determination to embracing technology that enhances patient care. By integrating AI into our clinical practices, we aim to enhance clinical efficiency, and provide a more personalised and efficient healthcare experience for our patients.”
The MoU sets the foundation for further discussions and negotiations on the specifics of the collaboration. Both parties are dedicated to working together in good faith to achieve shared goals that prioritise patient well-being and clinical excellence.
About The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) (https://hkust.edu.hk/) is a world-class university that excels in driving innovative education, research excellence, and impactful knowledge transfer. With a holistic and interdisciplinary pedagogy approach, HKUST was ranked 3rd in the Times Higher Education’s Young University Rankings 2024, 19th Worldwide and No.1 in Hong Kong in Times Higher Education’s Impact Rankings. Thirteen HKUST subjects were ranked among the world’s top 50 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, with “Data Science and Artificial Intelligence” holding the 17th place, maintaining its position as first in Hong Kong. Our graduates are highly competitive, consistently ranking among the world’s top 30 most sought-after employees. In terms of research and entrepreneurship, over 80% of our work was rated “Internationally excellent” or “world leading” in the latest Research Assessment Exercise 2020 of Hong Kong’s University Grants Committee. As of May 2025, HKUST members have founded over 1,800 active start-ups, including 10 Unicorns and 17 exits (IPO or M&A)
SmartCare Technology Co. Limited
At SmartCare, we are committed to revolutionizing healthcare through our innovative AI-powered patient-centered consultation platform. Our mission is to enhance care, streamline workflows, and automate documentation for healthcare professionals, social workers, and patients, ensuring that everyone has access to high-quality healthcare services. Our founding team members are from the Smart Lab research team at HKUST, bringing a wealth of expertise and cutting-edge technology to our solutions.
SmartCare’s platform harnesses advanced multimodal large language models to deliver a seamless consultation experience that prioritizes patient needs. By integrating state-of-the-art AI technology, SmartCare empowers healthcare providers to focus on delivering exceptional care while improving efficiency and accuracy in every interaction. With SmartCare, transforming the healthcare experience is not just a vision—it’s a reality.
About CUHK Medical Centre
CUHK Medical Centre (CUHKMC) is a non-profit, private teaching hospital wholly owned by The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). With a social mission to bridge the service gap between the private and public healthcare systems in Hong Kong, CUHKMC is dedicated to offering quality healthcare service at transparent and affordable package fees. In line with the not-for-profit principle, all surpluses from the Hospital will be ploughed back to the Hospital for hospital development and the CUHK Faculty of Medicine for research and teaching.
Media Enquiries
HKUST Global Engagement and Communications Office
Ms Anita LAM
Assistant Director (PR and Media)
Tel: (852) 2358 6313
Email: anitalam@ust.hk
CUHK Medical Centre
Ms Tracy CHUNG
Senior Manager, Corporate Communications
Tel: (852) 3946 6219
Email: tracyywchung@cuhkmc.hk
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