The Institute of Digital Medicine (IDM) of City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) andthe Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences & Technology (SAIHST), in Korea,signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Seoul on 18 March 2025. It aims to establish collaboration on health-related research, particularly in cell and gene therapy,bioinformatics and biomedical engineering, as well as talent development and commercialising digital health solutions to benefit society.
The MoU was signed by Professor Michael Yang Mengsu, Senior Vice-President (Innovation and Enterprise) at CityUHK, and Professor Chang Yun Sil, Director of SAIHST.
SAIHST is a leading institute, jointly established by industry – Samsung Group, a hospital – Samsung Medical Center and academia –Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) to advance research and develop professional experts to lead the future of biomedical sciences.SAIHST is Korea’s first graduate school of interdisciplinary convergence medical science to conduct healthcare-focused research and education. The institute partnered with universities and research institutes in more than 10 countries, such as the Unite States,Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and partnership with domestic and global pharmaceutical companies, large corporations and biotech firms.
Caption: The MoU is signed by Professor Michael Yang Meng-su, Senior Vice-President(Innovation and Enterprise) (left) of City University of Hong Kong, and Professor Chang Yun Sil, Director of SAIHST in Seoul, Korea. (Credit: City University of Hong Kong)
IDM was established in April 2024. In collaboration with renowned universities and medical schools around the world, as well as clinical and industry partners and health tech investors, IDM utilises CityUHK’s research strengths in engineering, data science and life science to develop innovative technologies to explore digital health solutions, for the long-term benefit of doctors and patients.
“Global collaboration is crucial for the development of digital medicine,” said Professor Freddy Boey, President of CityUHK. “The partnership between IDM and SAIHST marks a significant milestone in advancing health technology innovation. With CityUHK’s dynamic innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem, I am confident that our joint efforts will empower our future leaders on the global stage and create a positive impact on Hong Kong, Korea,and beyond.”
IDM and SAIHST will establish talent-nurturing collaboration with an international perspective. SAIHST will support eligible top-tier researchers and scientists by facilitating their visits to Hong Kong, participating in programmes offered by the CityUHK Academy of Innovation, and providing internship opportunities for CityUHK students.
The two parties will strengthen their partnership in health-related innovations through CityUHK’s HK Tech 300 programme, jointly transforming innovative ideas into practical applications and promoting the development of deep-tech start-ups.
Following the signing ceremony, the CityUHK IDM delegation held discussions with
professors from four SAIHST departments: Health Sciences and Technology, Digital Health, Medical Device Management and Research, and Clinical Research Design and Evaluation, and shared the development of CityUHK IDM.
Enrolled Nurse (General) Training Programme for Welfare Sector 2026-27 invites applications
The Social Welfare Department (SWD) announced that the full-time Enrolled Nurse (General) Training Programme for the Welfare Sector 2026-27 is inviting applications starting today (January 12). The programme, which will last for two years, with a total of 427 places, aims to train students to become enrolled nurses to alleviate the shortage of nurses in the welfare sector and enhance the quality of care services.
In response to the keen demand for nurses in the welfare sector, the SWD has commissioned the Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Saint Francis University and the Tung Wah College to provide the Enrolled Nurse (General) Training Programme for the Welfare Sector for five consecutive years starting from the 2023-24 academic year.
An SWD spokesman said, "Applicants for the programme must be permanent Hong Kong residents with right of abode in Hong Kong and have attained the age of 18 by the time the training programme commences. They must also have attained Level2 or above in five subjects, including Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics and any two other subjects in Categories A (Note) and B, in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination; or an equivalent qualification. Applicants are also required to take note of other entry requirements as specified by respective training institutes."
The spokesman added, "To encourage young people and frontline staff currently serving the welfare sector to upgrade their professional skills, priority will be accorded to applicants who have successfully completed the two-year Diploma Programme and obtained the diploma under the Navigation Scheme for Young Persons in Care Services launched in 2015 (or under the First-hire-then-train Pilot Scheme from 2013 to 2016) by the SWD; or those who are currently working full-time in non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or private organisations providing elderly, rehabilitation, family and child care, youth or correctional services. Individuals who aspire to pursue a career as enrolled nurses in the welfare sector are also welcome."
Tuition fees will be reimbursed to trainees in full on the condition that they have successfully completed the training programme and qualified to register as enrolled nurses within two years. Trainees will be required to sign an undertaking to work as an Enrolled Nurse (General) in NGOs or private organisations recognised by the SWD for providing elderly, rehabilitation, family and child care, or correctional services for a continuous period of no less than three years after completion of the training.
Information seminars on the training programme will be held by the three institutes starting from January. Details of the information seminars are set out in the table below:
Training institute |
Date and time of information seminar |
Website |
Enquiry number |
Hong Kong Metropolitan University |
2pm,
January 27 |
Programme content (Chinese only)
www.hkmu.edu.hk/nhs/tc/programmes-courses/nursing-and-health-studies/sub-degree-programmes/hdngf1_hdngosf1/
Application
admissions.hkmu.edu.hk/ug/online-application |
3970 2928 /
3970 2957 |
Saint Francis University |
3pm, February 6 |
Programme content
www.sfu.edu.hk/en/programmes/sub-degree-programmes/higher-diploma-in-enrolled-nursing-general-hden-swd/introduction/index.html
Application
onlineapplication.sfu.edu.hk/oa/admission/hdenswdForm |
3702 4388 |
Tung Wah College |
3.30pm, January 28 |
Programme content
www.twc.edu.hk/en/Programmes/hdn_swd
Application
www.twc.edu.hk/admission/ |
3190 6672 |
Applications will be closed at 5pm on March 2. For enquiries, please call the enquiry numbers of the training institutes.
Note: "Attained" in Citizenship and Social Development will be accepted as Level 2.
Source: AI-found images
