HKUST Receives Generous Donation from GS Charity Foundation to Establish its First Scheme for Biomedical Science and Biotechnology Talent

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has received a generous donation of HKD 20 million from the GS Charity Foundation to establish the “GS Charity Foundation - Biomedical and Biotechnology Talent Scheme”. The initiative will support HKUST in nurturing more future ready professionals in biomedical science and biotechnology, contributing to Hong Kong's development as an international health and medical innovation hub.

Life and health technology is a key driver of global technological innovation. Leveraging Hong Kong's position as Asia's largest and the world's second-largest biotechnology fundraising center, life and health technology has been identified as a priority development area in the HKSAR Government's Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint. With the GS Charity Foundation’s generous contribution, the Scheme will run for 10 years and aims to recruit exceptional students to the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical and Health Sciences program offered by the School of Science. It also seeks to inspire young talent to pursue research-oriented postgraduate studies at HKUST in key areas such as biochemistry, biotechnology, and medical sciences after graduation. Each year, the Scheme will recognize 10 outstanding undergraduate and postgraduate students based on holistic assessments of their academic achievements, leadership potential, research capabilities, and innovative mindset. In total, the Scheme aims to cultivate 100 exceptional biomedical and biotechnology professionals in Hong Kong over the next decade.

Dr. Charles YEUNG, Chairman of GS Charity Foundation and Glorious Sun Group, remarked,“Since its establishment in 2005, the GS Charity Foundation has remained committed to giving back to society, with education as a key focus area to nurture exceptional talent and drive technological innovation. Biomedical science and biotechnology represent cutting-edge fields at the forefront of advancing medical progress and human well-being, brimming with immense potential and profound impact. I firmly believe that our partnership with HKUST will help attract and cultivate more forward-thinking young talents, enabling them to thrive in these vital disciplines, pass on the torch of knowledge, continuously pursue breakthroughs, and contribute to medical innovation in Hong Kong and around the world.”

Prof. Nancy IP, HKUST President, expressed her gratitude for the Foundation's dedicated support, stating, "HKUST has long been committed to fostering professional talent in biomedical and health sciences, as well as advancing medical innovation and research. We are grateful to the GS Charity Foundation for their generous support in launching this scheme, which will help nurture more high-caliber professionals, and support Hong Kong's development as an international hub for medical training, research, and innovation. With the strong trust placed in us by the HKSAR Government and the wider community, HKUST is proceeding with the establishment of its new School of Medicine. The launch of the scheme is timely and will inject sustained momentum into the future development of our School of Medicine."

The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical and Health Sciences program equips students with advanced diagnostic and disease-modeling techniques. These include the application of omics technologies, computational analytical pipelines, and the development of experimental models, all of which are designed to accelerate drug and treatment discovery in pre-clinical setting. Graduates of this program are well-prepared for diverse career paths in pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, government agencies, and healthcare consulting firms. They are also well-positioned to pursue further studies in genetic counselling and other biomedical disciplines, as well as graduate-entry to the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery program.