HKUST Receives Donation from Shanghai Medical and Innovation Development Foundation to Nurture Innovative Medical Talent on Neurological Health Front | The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) recently received a donation from the Shanghai Medical and Innovation Development Foundation (SMIDF), in support of the University’s “Mainland Innovative Medical Talent Cultivation Program (Brain Health)” with mainland Chinese hospitals.

Aging populations worldwide are increasing the demand for effective healthcare solutions. To meet the evolving challenges in medicine and address future societal demands, the medical sector urgently needs medical talent with expertise in both scientific research and clinical practice. HKUST is dedicated to advancing research, fostering innovation, and nurturing future leaders and innovators in the medical field, which spawned the launch of the "Mainland Innovative Medical Talent Training Program" (the Program).

The University previously signed an agreement with Beijing Tiantan Hospital of the Capital Medical University (Beijing Tiantan Hospital) to join forces in nurturing medical talent with research and clinical expertise. The University is also actively in talks with various mainland Chinese hospitals to recruit them to the Program. The goal is to equip more clinicians with advanced scientific research skills, fostering future medical leaders who will drive medical breakthroughs and technological advancements, and accelerating the clinical application of research findings.

SMIDF’s donation to the Program will support talent development specifically in the field of brain health. A total of 30 brain health clinicians, including those from Beijing Tiantan Hospital, will receive research training at HKUST. The participating clinicians, engaged in a variety of different research projects, will be assigned at least one research mentor and will have access to essential laboratory facilities and other resources at HKUST.

The donation ceremony was held at the Brain Health Conference 2024 recently, organized by the Foundation in Beijing. Officiating guests included Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) fellow, Vice-chairman of the thirteenth National People’s Congress Standing Committee, President of the Red Cross Society of China and Ruijin Hospital Shanghai Jiao Tong University Professor CHEN Zhu, Vice-minister of the National Health Commission Mr. YU Xuejun, CAS fellow and Beijing Tiantan Hospital Professor ZHAO Jizong, CAS fellow and HKUST President Prof. Nancy IP, President of Beijing Tiantan Hospital Prof. WANG Yongjun, Executive Director of SMIDF Dr. WANG Bo and other Chinese neurological experts. Professor Nancy Ip was invited to deliver a keynote talk and participated in the panel discussion at the Main Forum of the 2024 Brain Health Conference.

In an expression of gratitude, Prof. Nancy Ip said, “We are truly grateful for the Foundation's generosity and staunch support. Given the challenges posed by a rapidly growing aging population and the urgent need for clinicians with more diverse skill sets, we are heartened that our Mainland Innovative Medical Talent Training Program has received acknowledgment and backing from different sectors of society. We remain resolute in our mission to develop exceptional medical talent to support Hong Kong’s development into a health and medical innovation hub, which will ultimately strengthen healthcare innovation and development in our Nation.” 

Dr. WANG Bo said, “Thanks to the trust of HKUST, Expert Committee of Brain Health Initiative and Beijing Tiantan Hospital, the Tianyang Young Scholar Charitable Fund of our Foundation is very pleased to have the opportunity to support the development of innovative medical talents in the field of brain health. This collaboration holds immense significance and will have a profoundly positive impact on the innovative development of the field. Brain health has been a key focus area for the Foundation since its inception, and we eagerly anticipate expanding our cooperation with the HKUST to drive innovation in the broader healthcare domain going forward.” 

HKUST has established a robust research foundation in neuroscience, genetics, bioengineering, data science, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, multi-omics, and precision drug discovery. The University boasts numerous outstanding achievements over the past two decades in brain health and medical talent training, which include novel blood tests for early and accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment. In 2019, HKUST partnered with several top international universities to establish a dedicated research center in Hong Kong to conduct world-class brain research, advance precision diagnostics and healthcare, and nurture young scientists.

Currently, HKUST is planning the establishment of a world-leading research-based medical school. This new medical school will focus on nurturing clinicians and medical professionals with strong research and translational skills, with the goal of driving integrated advancements in frontier technology and medical practices.

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, while 12 of its subjects were ranked among the world’s top 50 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024, with "Data Science and Artificial Intelligence" being ranked first in Hong Kong and 10th in the world. 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 June 2024, HKUST members have founded 1,747 active start-ups, including 10 Unicorns and 14 exits (IPO or M&A).