Editorial | HKUST medical school can make a difference as the population ages
A third medical school that promotes medical innovation and scientific research will also enhance the city’s global competitiveness
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology has won the right to operate it on the recommendation of a special task group including the secretaries of health and education. Its bid won out over proposals from Polytechnic and Baptist universities.
Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau said the group chose HKUST on the basis of 10 criteria, including clear strategic positioning and broad global vision. “We think that it would have a winning edge in terms of competition and attraction in recruiting professorial manpower and students,” Lo said. “Its position also combined medicine and research and development into one.”
HKUST had strong advantages in life sciences, artificial intelligence and big data, and Lo said he hoped it could apply these in the development of the medical school. Financially, he said HKUST put up around the same amount as the government for medical school operations and infrastructure for the next 25 years.
HKUST plans an initial intake of 50 students for a four-year course at its Clear Water Bay campus. That seems unlikely to make much difference to an ageing population, even if the shortages turn out to be smaller.