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Chief Executive attends groundbreaking ceremony for Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Education and Research Complex (with photos)
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     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, together with the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr Zhou Ji; the Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the HKSAR, Mr Li Yongsheng; the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau; and the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) Medical Education and Research Complex today (April 28), marking a new phase in the establishment of the third medical school.

     Located in the HKUST's Clear Water Bay campus, the Medical Education and Research Complex is one of the core facilities of the new medical school. It is expected to be completed by mid-2028 to admit the first cohort of students in the same year, and it will serve as an interim campus before the permanent campus in the Northern Metropolis is completed. The Government has also reserved a site in Ngau Tam Mei in the Northern Metropolis for the permanent campus of the new medical school, and for the development of an integrated medical teaching and research hospital. The Government will reserve resources for this purpose and fully support the early commencement of construction works.

     Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Lee said that the National 15th Five-Year Plan supports Hong Kong in becoming an international hub for high-calibre talent, and that a new medical school will help turn that vision into reality, attracting and training top talent in healthcare and higher education. He added that, equally important, the new medical school will ensure better quality, greater efficiency and higher capacity in local healthcare and medical services. He also noted that HKUST's medical school will develop differently from the two existing ones, creating synergy, driving innovation, generating multiplier effects, and raising the city's medical-education capabilities.

     Mr Lee said that the Government's goal is to ensure that the new medical school and its teaching hospital become a key pillar of Hong Kong's medical teaching and service system, and that the Government is backing this commitment with substantial resources. Today's groundbreaking of the HKUST Medical Education and Research Complex is a tangible step forward, he said, and it will support the new medical school's phased development for years to come.

     Professor Lo said, "The HKSAR Government fully supports the HKUST in actively advancing the preparatory work for the new medical school. The Task Group on New Medical School has set up three working groups. Relevant government departments and experienced experts in related fields have been invited to join the working groups to offer advice and support to the HKUST on areas such as curriculum development and financial arrangements of the new medical school. The three working groups have already held their first meetings to follow up with every effort on all aspects of the work for establishing the new medical school. They will report the progress to the Task Group on a regular basis to ensure the preparatory process is smooth and on track. I would like to express my gratitude in particular to the Medical Council of Hong Kong for swiftly setting up the accreditation committee to start the preparatory work for programme accreditation, with a view to ensuring the upcoming four-year graduate-entry programme offered by the new medical school will meet the quality and standards of medical education in Hong Kong."

     Dr Choi said, "The establishment of the new medical school is a significant milestone in the development of Hong Kong's higher education. It will not only effectively expand capacity and enhance quality of medical education, but also further strengthen and enhance Hong Kong's position as an international post-secondary education hub. The Government will continue to provide full support to the HKUST in establishing the new medical school and work hand-in-hand with the University to advance this strategically important project. We look forward to the new medical school complementing the existing two medical schools in a synergistic manner, creating a more comprehensive and diverse medical education ecosystem, and nurturing more outstanding medical talent with global vision, humanistic care, and innovative thinking. Through the establishment of the new medical school, Hong Kong will further strengthen its competitive edge in international higher education and medical training, attracting more outstanding academics, students, and research projects. Members of the Task Group will continue to work closely together to ensure the high-quality, high-standard development of the new medical school, with a view to injecting strong momentum into the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town and complementing with the talent backing for our country and Hong Kong."

     In November last year, the Chief Executive in Council approved the establishment of the third medical school and gave approval-in-principle for the new medical school to be established by the HKUST, which shall aim to admit the first cohort of 50 students in the 2028/29 academic year.
 
Ends/Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Issued at HKT 17:28
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The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, speaks at the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Education and Research Complex today (April 28).
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, attended the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) Medical Education and Research Complex today (April 28). Photo shows (from left) the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin; the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau; the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Zhou Ji; Mr Lee; Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Li Yongsheng; the Council Chairman of the HKUST, Professor Harry Shum; and the President of the HKUST, Professor Nancy Ip, officiating at the plaque unveiling ceremony.
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, attended the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) Medical Education and Research Complex today (April 28). Photo shows Mr Lee (centre); the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Zhou Ji (fourth left); Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Li Yongsheng (fourth right); the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau (third left); the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin (second left); the Council Chairman of the HKUST, Professor Harry Shum (third right); the President of the HKUST, Professor Nancy Ip (second right), and other guests officiating at the ceremony.
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, attended the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) Medical Education and Research Complex today (April 28). Photo shows Mr Lee (centre); the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Zhou Ji (fourth left); Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Li Yongsheng (second left); the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau (third right); the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin (first left); the Council Chairman of the HKUST, Professor Harry Shum (fourth right); the President of the HKUST, Professor Nancy Ip (third left), and other guests inspecting the construction site.