The Task Group on New Medical School, co-chaired by the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, and the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, convened its fourth meeting today (July 31) to conduct an overall evaluation of the proposals for the establishment of the third medical school and to discuss the next steps for the Task Group's work.
 
     Between May and June this year, the Task Group held two meetings with the three universities that submitted proposals, namely Hong Kong Baptist University, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, to have in-depth discussions and gain a better understanding of their submissions. Subsequently, the expert advisors conducted a comprehensive review of the proposals in their respective areas of expertise and provided advice from various perspectives (including innovative strategic positioning, curriculum structure and assessment methodologies, and financial sustainability) in accordance with the 10 key parameters set.
 
     At today's meeting, the expert advisors conducted an overall assessment of the proposals, and initiated the next phase of follow-up work to conduct a thorough study of the funding arrangements and financial sustainability of the proposals. A final recommendation on the establishment of the new medical school is expected to be provided to the Government later this year.
 
     Professor Lo said, "Since its establishment, the Task Group has taken forward the evaluation exercise at full speed in a rigorous, impartial and professional manner. The meeting today marks a key milestone in the evaluation process, as the Task Group has largely reached a consensus on the evaluation of the proposals. We will consolidate the views of all Task Group members and submit our recommendation to the Chief Executive as soon as possible. The Government will thoroughly consider the Task Group's report and announce the results in due course. I look forward to working with the Task Group in entering the next phase of preparing for the establishment of the new medical school."
 
     Professor Lo emphasised, "The establishment of the third medical school is of paramount importance to the long-term development of the healthcare system in Hong Kong. The key to long-term development lies in reform and innovation. The new medical school will not only increase the number of locally trained doctors, but will also introduce healthy competition and complementary development with the two existing medical schools, hence creating synergy, raising the standard and capacity of local healthcare services, scientific research and medical education in the long run, thereby achieving the strategic goal of developing Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub."
 
     Dr Choi said, "I sincerely thank the expert advisors and members of the Task Group for their efforts over the past months and their valuable professional input throughout the evaluation process. The establishment of a new medical school will inject impetus into Hong Kong's higher education sector. We hope the selected university will leverage the strategic advantage of being located in the Northern Metropolis University Town to foster curriculum innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the nurturing of healthcare professionals equipped with global vision and innovative capability. This initiative responds to the national strategy of building the nation into a leading country in education and will further promote regional collaboration and the integration of innovation. We are confident that the new medical school will open a new chapter for higher education and medical development in Hong Kong."
 
     The Chief Executive announced in the 2024 Policy Address that the Government supports the establishment of the third medical school by a local university to nurture more outstanding medical practitioners to support the local healthcare system in providing quality services, while at the same time promoting the development of Hong Kong into an international medical training, research and innovation hub. To take forward the relevant work, the Task Group was established in October 2024, comprising seasoned local, Mainland and overseas academics in medical education and university management, professionals, representatives from the Medical Council of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine, as well as representatives from the relevant government bureaux and departments.

Ends/Thursday, July 31, 2025
Issued at HKT 19:12

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