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.
Moderator:
• Ambassador Kurt Tong, Managing Partner, The Asia Group
Speakers:
• Datuk Professor Dr Mohd Faiz Abdullah, Executive Chairman of the Institute of Strategic & International Studies (“ISIS”), Malaysia
• Mr Mark Boris Andrijanič, Member of the Board of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (“EIT”)
• Professor Kaisheng Li, Vice-President of the SIIS
• Mr Sean Stein, President of the US-China Business Council (“USCBC”)
Datuk Professor Dr Mohd Faiz Abdullah
• I believe that China’s Global Governance Initiative fundamentally is for the good of the general world, not just for the region.
• I'm not speaking on behalf of the government. I'm speaking on behalf of how we look at trade from think tanks and Track II Diplomacy. The way I look at it, Hong Kong will have to be one of the major drivers in promoting regional growth. From there, building on ASEAN’s strong economic presence, which is going to be number three globally, we must consider how best that can be leveraged to promote global growth.
Discussion highlights of the second day of panel discussions at GPS2026 ,Panel 4: International Trade in a Changing World Order .
Mr Mark Boris Andrijanič
• I think the entire world held a deep breath after the meeting between President Xi and President Trump. because I think that meeting is introducing some stability in the international order. It's clear that both China and the U.S. would like to stay away from further confrontation, which I think is good for everyone, including the EU. So in this sense, it was a relief.
• What's important for the EU is to have an equally high level meeting with the Chinese government, with frank dialogues, to address the increasing structural issues in our trade relationships. This structural imbalance must be addressed. And as I mentioned earlier, I think there's an opportunity for a broader partnership between the EU and China across a variety of issues - be it climate change, where we think pretty much along the same lines, or in the area of U.N. reform because both the EU and China are very committed to the U.N. and other international organizations. And obviously, trade should be on the top of all of issues.
• At this moment, what is most important in rebuilding the trust between China and the EU, would be for China to be more proactive in helping to end the war in Ukraine, which is a war in Europe. A positive and proactive involvement of China, I think, would be important for closer partnership between the E.U. and China.
Professor Kaisheng Li
• Hong Kong is a bridge between the Mainland and the world. Economically, the Mainland is very strong in many respects, but Hong Kong has so many advantages - its soft edgesare in the areas of finance, insurance, law, etc.
• Hong Kong knows the West very well, and, of course, the Mainland. It is indeed a bridgeto minimize cultural gaps between China and the rest of the world.
Discussion highlights of the second day of panel discussions at GPS2026 ,Panel 4: International Trade in a Changing World Order .
Mr Sean Stein
• The meeting between the two presidents last week was enormously important because the biggest challenge that companies have faced in recent years has been uncertainty due to ups and downs in the bilateral relationship. And I think the fundamental goal that
• Seeing the consensus reached between the two presidents, we should next strive for stability and all the more constructive strategic stability which is important for business confidence and for them to continue to invest, to grow, to develop partnerships, etc.
• Seen in this light, this meeting between the two presidents was enormously important because it sent a very strong signal to businesses in both countries and that stability will lead to more investment, and then better outcomes for everybody.
• I think choosing Shenzhen as the site for the APEC summit was absolutely inspiring as this will bring together two great global cities. The gateway to Shenzhen is actually not Beijing, and it's not Shanghai. The gateway to Shenzhen is Hong Kong. When the two great Asian cities will be part of this [APEC] summit. I believe we'll see a record number of CEOs attending the summit, certainly more than we've seen in recent years.
• Hong Kong should focus on those areas that makes the place special. And that is Hong Kong's commitment and long-standing commitment to the rule of law. This is Hong Kong’s long-standing and well-established tradition of transparency, and the fairness. And that is what Hong Kong's strength lies in. And that's what Hong Kong needs to double down on, because that's what makes it indispensable.
