Hong Kong Discusses Proposals for New Medical School from Three Universities

Task Group on New Medical School meets with universities that submitted proposals

​The Task Group on New Medical School met with the three universities that have submitted proposals for the establishment of the third medical school, namely Hong Kong Baptist University, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, respectively today (May 3) to have in-depth discussions on the proposals and gain a better understanding of their submissions.

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, said, "Establishing a third medical school is an important project in the development of medical education in Hong Kong. I am pleased to see the positive feedback from the three universities that submitted detailed proposals within a specified period. During the two-hour session with each university today, our expert advisers of the Task Group and representatives from the relevant policy bureaux had fruitful exchanges with the university representatives on the content of the proposals, including innovative strategic positioning, curriculum structure and assessment methodologies, and financial sustainability. We also took the opportunity to further understand the preparatory work and resource plans underpinning each proposal, such as collaboration models with local and non-local partners and the allocation of resources for software and hardware of the curriculum, teaching manpower and student recruitment and training. The Task Group will enhance speed and efficiency in the next phase of work, adopting a holistic and integrated approach to assess the proposals, with a view to completing the assessments within this year and recommending to the Government the option that best supports the development of Hong Kong into an international medical training, research and innovation hub."

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, said, "The 2024-2035 master plan on building China into a leading country in education newly released by our nation strives to accelerate the development of world-class universities and advanced disciplines. To tie in with this important blueprint, Hong Kong is making forward-looking preparations for a third medical school to further enhance our status as an international post-secondary education hub. We expect the new medical school not only to drive the overall advancement of the host university but also to strengthen Hong Kong's competitiveness on the global stage. Strategically located in the Northern Metropolis University Town with a prime geographic location, the new medical school has immense potential for fostering synergy among academia, research, and industry within the vicinity and the Greater Bay Area. We hope the selected university will seize this valuable opportunity to take Hong Kong's medical academic and research excellence to new heights through active collaboration within the region."

Established in October last year, the Task Group comprises 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. It has already set the overall direction and parameters for establishing the new medical school. The 10 key parameters for consideration are: (1) innovative strategic positioning, (2) staffing, (3) campus and teaching facilities, (4) clinical exposure and learning resources, (5) curriculum structure and assessment methodologies, (6) student admission arrangements, (7) funding arrangements, (8) implementation plan, (9) teaching and learning quality, and (10) research excellence. The Task Group issued a letter of invitation on December 2 last year to all University Grants Committee-funded universities to invite local universities interested in establishing the new medical school to submit proposals by March 17 this year, and three proposals were received by the deadline.

Task Group on New Medical School meets with universities that submitted proposals Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Property owner fined $180,000 in total for removal of structural wall without approval

​A property owner was fined $180,000 in total at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today (December 29), for contravention of the Buildings Ordinance (Cap. 123) (BO).

The case involved an owner who knowingly carried out removal works of part of a structural wall in a unit at The Capitol, Lohas Park, between 2022 and 2023 without prior approval and consent from the Buildings Department (BD), thereby contravening section 40(1AA) of the BO. Moreover, the removal of part of the structural wall was carried out in such a manner as was likely to cause a risk of injury to a person, or damage to a property, thereby contravening section 40(2B)(b) of the BO. Therefore, the BD instigated prosecution action against the owner under the BO in May last year. The owner was convicted and fined $180,000 in total at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Court today.

The Buildings Department (BD), Photo source: reference image

The interior designer and contractor responsible for renovating the unit in question carried out the works without prior approval or consent from the BD, thereby contravening section 40(1AA) of the BO. Furthermore, the contractor removed part of the structural wall in such a way that it posed a risk of injury to persons or damage to property, thereby contravening section 40(2B)(b) of the BO. They were also prosecuted by the BD and were convicted and fined $60,000 and $200,000 respectively in June this year.

A spokesman for the BD said that any person who intends to carry out alteration and addition works should consult building professionals for advice, including the feasibility of the works, and where necessary, apply for approval and consent from the BD to ensure building safety and compliance with the BO. Building professionals and contractors are required to carefully examine the approved plans and other relevant documents to observe the relevant requirements under the BO, and to ascertain whether prior approval from the BD should be obtained before commencement of works to ensure the safety of the occupants and the structural safety of the building.

Pursuant to section 40(1AA) of the BO, any person who knowingly contravenes section 14(1) of the BO (i.e. commences or carries out any building works without having first obtained approval and consent from the BD) shall be guilty of an offence and liable upon conviction to a fine of $400,000 and to imprisonment for two years, and a further fine of $20,000 for each day that the offence continues.

Pursuant to section 40(2B)(b) of the BO, any person directly concerned with the relevant building works, who carries out or authorises or permits such works to be carried out, in such manner that it is likely to cause a risk of injury to any person or damage to any property, shall be guilty of an offence and liable upon conviction to a fine of $1,000,000 and to imprisonment for three years.

The Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts, the Kwun Tong Law Courts Building