HKUST Forges Partnerships with Local Top Medical Institutions Charting Path for the City’s Third Medical School

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) today announced partnerships with HKSH Medical Group (HKSH) and Hong Kong Adventist Hospital (HKAH), two leading private medical institutions which have served the city for over a century. These collaborations mark a significant step in HKUST’s ongoing efforts to establish Hong Kong’s third medical school and galvanize innovation in healthcare.

As the first local private hospital to support undergraduate clinical training and specialist higher training and establish a dedicated clinical trial center, HKSH brings a wealth of expertise to the realm of medical education and research. With state-of-the-art technology, a robust research division, and a rich history of medical breakthroughs, HKSH is uniquely positioned to collaborate with HKUST in cultivating tech-savvy and clinically adept physicians with scientific mindset ready to tackle future healthcare challenges. The partnership will include HKSH offering short-term clinical courses and practicum opportunities for HKUST students, while facilitating staff exchanges for clinical services, practice, and education, as well as joint research initiatives in pioneering fields such as proton therapy and artificial intelligence (AI). HKSH will also provide access to its advanced facilities, including simulation and medical laboratories, to support hands-on training.

Meanwhile, the collaboration with HKAH will enhance HKUST’s initiative by providing clinical rotation opportunities for students and co-developing educational programs. Leveraging Adventist Health’s extensive global network of hospitals, medical schools, and universities across the United States, Australia, Japan, and Korea, this partnership will enrich teaching quality with clinical instructors from around the world.  Additionally, the parties will also explore opportunities in research collaboration, while co-developing Centres of Excellence for various specialties to support community health and wellness initiatives, embedding a comprehensive and patient-centered ethos into medical training. HKAH aligns with HKUST’s mission to raise healthcare standards through groundbreaking innovation and cross-border partnerships. 

Prof. Nancy IP, President of HKUST, expressed sincere gratitude to HKSH and HKAH for their pivotal support. “These partnerships reflect our shared commitment to advancing the future of healthcare in Hong Kong and represent an important leap forward in our journey to establish the city’s third medical school. Both institutions are pillars of Hong Kong’s healthcare excellence, renowned for their comprehensive and patient-centered medical services across diverse specialties. By leveraging their advanced clinical facilities, invaluable expertise, and extensive medical networks, we will create unparalleled opportunities for students to engage in immersive clinical training. These strategic alliances, together with our existing collaborations with leading hospitals in the Greater Bay Area and Beijing, further strengthen our foundation to nurture the next generation of physicians equipped with clinical competence, a scientific mindset, and compassionate care—to lead the charge in addressing the city’s evolving challenges and shaping a healthier tomorrow for all.”

Dr. Walton LI, Chief Executive Officer of HKSH Medical Group and Medical Superintendent of Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital, said: “Our MOU with HKUST signifies a new milestone in HKSH’s ongoing commitment to advancing medical education and research through strategic partnerships for the betterment of healthcare and medical innovation. As Hong Kong’s first private hospital to provide training for medical students, HKSH has about 30 years of experience in teaching medical students in Hong Kong, and offering higher training in various specialties including family medicine, surgery, ophthalmology, plastic surgery and orthopaedics. The HKSH Institute for Innovation and Professional Development (IIPD) is recently established to advance medical education and research, addressing the need for improving healthcare practices and fostering innovation within the medical community. HKSH has also been in the forefront of bringing advance medical technologies to Hong Kong while HKUST is the city’s first research university distinguished by its excellence in bioengineering, AI and data science. We believe our combined expertise and experience will drive pioneering research, nurture medical talents through advanced clinical education, and open new doors to enhancing healthcare and medical innovation for Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, and beyond.”

Mr. Alex LAN, President and CEO of Hong Kong Adventist Hospital, stated: “We are delighted to forge a partnership with HKUST to jointly advance the establishment of Hong Kong's third medical school, marking a significant milestone in local medical education. This collaboration will combine the strengths of both institutions, supporting the medical school application process through clinical training initiatives. Together, we will harness the extensive resources of Adventist Health—a global network comprising 200 hospitals and 350 medical institutions—to create an international platform for medical education and research exchange, fostering deeper collaboration between academia and the healthcare industry. Building on Adventist Health's century-long legacy of community service in the region, this partnership will also emphasize public health promotion and the development of future medical professionals who are not only clinically proficient but also deeply committed to enhancing community well-being.” 

Beyond these private hospital partnerships, HKUST is proactively engaging with public hospitals to expand its collaborative framework, ensuring a robust and inclusive approach to advancing medical education across Hong Kong’s healthcare ecosystem.