The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) received government approval last November to establish the SAR’s third medical school.
As part of the initiative, the university is building a dedicated medical education and research complex to house its School of Medicine, which will support teaching and research during the school’s initial phase.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the complex on Tuesday, Lee emphasised that the new medical school would improve the quality, efficiency and capacity of the city’s healthcare and medical services.
“It will increase local doctor training, easing manpower shortages,” he said.
“It will help us meet the challenges of an ageing population. Beyond these, HKUST’s medical school will develop differently from our two existing ones.”
He explained that this differentiation would “create synergy, drive innovation, generate multiplier effects and raise our medical education capabilities”.
“Hong Kong is fast emerging as an international centre for medical training, research and innovation,” he said.
“Building a third medical school will get us there that much faster. We are moving decisively to bring these benefits to Hong Kong.”
The chief executive said that he approved the university’s proposal last year to launch a four-year graduate entry medical programme offering a combined Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree.
The first cohort, he said, will consist of 50 students, with classes beginning in the 2028-2029 academic year.
Lee noted that the government has established three working groups under a task force to ensure the new medical school’s success.
“The members include relevant government departments and outside experts, such as the chairman of the Medical Council of Hong Kong, these groups will now work with HKUST on every stage of implementation, advising curriculum, finances and more,” he said.
“I’m sure HKUST will also work closely with the Medical Council to complete course accreditation and advance all fronts. Our goal is clear: to ensure that the new medical school and its teaching hospital become a key pillar of Hong Kong’s medical teaching and service system.”
The eight-storey complex, Lee said, will serve as one of the medical school’s core facilities. It is scheduled for completion by mid-2028 – just in time to welcome the first cohort of students.
