As the new engine of Hong Kong's economic development, the Northern Metropolis, with an expected population of 2.5 million, is ready to take off with the Chief Executive stipulating his plan in the recent Policy Address. Land will be reserved for local universities to establish a third medical school to advance Hong Kong as an international hub for health and medical innovation. On a broader scale, the Greater Bay Area (GBA) has rapidly developed with a population exceeding 86 million. It can be foreseen the demand for high-quality medical services in the region is urgent.

PolyU is eager to help alleviate the medical pressure in Hong Kong and serve the medical needs of the GBA. With its solid foundation in health science education and research, PolyU has submitted a proposal to the HKSAR Government for the establishment of a PolyU satellite campus in the Northern Metropolis with a medical school to ensure the quality and sustainability of future medical services.

Dr Lam Tai-fai, Chairman of the PolyU Council, expressed confidence in leveraging PolyU's rich experience and solid foundation in healthcare technology education and research to expand medical training to medical students. He believes PolyU’s proposal will distinguish its medical school from the existing two, further contributing to society.

The recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU) takes this a step further. The two universities are getting ready to collaborate in interdisciplinary medicine and engineering education and research.

Leveraging PolyU's strengths in health science and engineering and SYSU's expertise in clinical medicine, the partnership will cultivate medical professionals, develop medical technology programmes, establish joint laboratories, facilitate academic exchanges and enhance research outcomes.

Key initiatives include a joint eight-year dual bachelor’s degree programme in medicine and a dual degree professional doctorate programme in medicine and engineering. These programmes aim to nurture interdisciplinary talents with cross-border medical practice qualifications recognised in both Hong Kong and Mainland China.

PolyU has a solid foundation and extensive experience in health science education and research, supported by world-class facilities.

Renowned for its foundational and clinical medicine disciplines, recognised as “Double First-Class” disciplines, the Zhongshan School of Medicine has provided a high-quality teaching platform for cultivating top medical talent over the years.

Professor Wing-tak Wong, Deputy President and Provost of PolyU, emphasised that the collaboration harnesses the advantages of “medicine-engineering integration” to meet the high demand for quality healthcare services in the region, and is a significant step towards PolyU’s goal of establishing a medical school.

Professor Kuang Ming, Dean of Zhongshan School of Medicine of SYSU, highlighted the complementary advantages of both institutions in advancing medical education and addressing the long-term medical talent needs of the GBA.

Over the past four decades, PolyU has nurtured over 50,000 allied healthcare professionals and nurses in various disciplines, including medical laboratory science, medical imaging, radiotherapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, nursing, optometry, prosthetics and orthotics, and speech therapy, supporting the long-term development of the healthcare system.