Hong Kong's third medical school has made significant progress in building its academic team, with the dean revealing that approximately 300 teachers have been recruited. The institution aims to eventually increase its annual student intake from 50 to more than 200, according to Professor King Li King-chuen, the founding dean of medicine at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
Li shared these details during a recent television programme, highlighting that the teaching faculty includes retired professors and doctors from the city's other two medical schools and the Hospital Authority, as well as international recruits. He noted that only one professor was hired from a local medical school, emphasizing that the majority of the faculty will come from retired professionals and overseas sources.
The new medical school is set to offer a four-year degree for graduates starting in 2028, with the first batch of students beginning their hospital internships in 2032. This initiative comes amid growing demand for more doctors in Hong Kong, with the student quota being jointly determined by the government and the university. Li mentioned that the quota could be increased based on this demand.
"We spoke with the deans at the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, both of which also offer second-degree medical programmes and admit only 25 students each year," he said. "There are many more high-quality students they are unable to admit. So admitting another 50 students will pose no problem for us."
Li added that the school plans to increase the student intake to more than 200 in the future. He also confirmed that the medical school has identified a teaching hospital for internships and clinical training, with details expected to be announced soon.
"We have already reached an agreement with the Hospital Authority. We have a very good hospital that we can use as a temporary teaching hospital," he said. "Details could be announced in the coming weeks."
Construction of the eight-storey medical school complex at the Clear Water Bay campus in Sai Kung is progressing well, with Li stating that the school should be able to start moving in during the second quarter of 2028.
In addition to its academic programs, the medical school has established five research centres covering areas such as artificial intelligence and robotics. More than 100 professors have joined these projects, reflecting the school’s commitment to innovation and interdisciplinary research.
Key Points About the New Medical School
- Faculty Recruitment: The school has recruited around 300 teachers, including retired professionals, overseas hires, and some from the Hospital Authority.
- Student Intake: The initial cohort will consist of 50 students, with plans to expand to over 200 in the future.
- Teaching Hospital: A teaching hospital has been identified for internships and clinical training, with details expected soon.
- Campus Development: Construction of the medical school complex is on track, with an expected move-in date in 2028.
- Research Initiatives: Five research centres have been established, focusing on advanced fields like artificial intelligence and robotics.
The new medical school represents a major step forward in Hong Kong’s healthcare education landscape, combining traditional medical training with cutting-edge research and global perspectives. As it moves toward its full operational capacity, it is poised to play a critical role in addressing the region’s growing need for skilled medical professionals.
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