Working groups established under Task Group on New Medical School to strengthen support for implementation of new medical school project
The Government announced today (March 13) that the Task Group on New Medical School has established working groups to strengthen support for the effective implementation of the new medical school project to be set up by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST).
As the preparatory work for the third medical school enters the implementation stage, the HKUST is steadily advancing the relevant work, including initiating the curriculum accreditation process with the Medical Council of Hong Kong, launching global recruitment of teaching staff, and finalising the design of the medical school complex building on the Clear Water Bay campus.
To enhance support for the work in the implementation stage of the new medical school and ensure the HKUST meets its targets in an orderly manner, the Task Group has established the Working Group on Programme and Faculty Development, the Working Group on Hospital Teaching and Research Support, and the Working Group on Financing and Infrastructure Development, which comprise representatives from relevant policy bureaux and departments, as well as expert advisors. The working groups will be responsible for maintaining close liaison with the HKUST, providing support in their respective areas, monitoring the implementation of the project and reporting progress to the Task Group on a regular basis.
Among them, the Working Group on Financing and Infrastructure Development, chaired by the Permanent Secretary for Health, Mr Thomas Chan, held its first meeting today. At the meeting, the working group received a briefing from representatives of the HKUST on the latest progress regarding funding arrangements and campus development plans of the new medical school, and the detailed arrangement for the next phase of work. The other two working groups will convene their first meetings shortly to offer views on work plans for the new medical school concerning programme development, faculty recruitment, clinical teaching arrangements, and more.
As the work moves from the planning stage to the implementation stage, the Government has reviewed and optimised the composition of the Task Group. Expert advisors with experience in medical education, clinical services, medical school management and planning and development have been invited to join the Task Group, to meet the practical needs of the new medical school in areas such as programme development, clinical training and resource planning, with a view to further strengthen supervision and support, thereby enhancing the overall quality and effectiveness of the work.
The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, and the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, expressed their heartfelt gratitude to all members of the Task Group for their active participation, particularly to the local, the Mainland and overseas experts for their dedicated contributions over the past year or so. Their efforts have laid a solid foundation for the planning work of this new medical school, which is of paramount importance to the long-term development of Hong Kong’s healthcare system.
The Task Group will continue to oversee the overall implementation in a professional, prudent and pragmatic manner. It will closely follow up with the HKUST on key areas such as curriculum accreditation, financial and financing arrangements, staffing, campus development and teaching hospital arrangements, and monitor the implementation progress of various tasks according to the established timetable to ensure the new medical school project advances steadily. The HKUST will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government, setting out the main requirements for the implementation stage, covering funding arrangements, curriculum accreditation, teaching hospital resources, as well as recruitment of teaching staff, and more. The university will also maintain close co-operation with all stakeholders throughout the process to implement various key tasks with concerted efforts.
The new medical school will adopt a complementary development approach with the two existing medical schools, enhancing Hong Kong’s medical education and research capabilities, nurturing more locally trained doctors to maintain professional standards, and supporting the long-term development of the healthcare system. This will further consolidate Hong Kong’s position as an international hub for medical training, research and innovation.
The latest membership of the Task Group with effect from March 16, 2026 is as follows (see Annex for brief biographies of the newly appointed expert advisors):
Co-Chairmen
------
Secretary for Health
Secretary for Education
Alternate Co-Chairmen
-----
Permanent Secretary for Health / Under Secretary for Health
Permanent Secretary for Education / Under Secretary for Education
Expert advisors
------
Chairman of the Medical Council of Hong Kong
President of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine (or representative)
Professor Nivritti Gajanan Patil
Professor Joseph Sung Jao-yiu
Mr Philip Tsai Wing-chung
Professor Lau Chak-sing*
Professor Philip Chiu Wai-yan*
Professor Lyu Aiping*
Professor David Shum Ho-keung*
Dr Pang Yiu-kai*
Official members
-----
Permanent Secretary for Development (Planning and Lands) (or representative)
Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry (or representative)
Secretary-General of the University Grants Committee (or representative)
Director of Health (or representative)
Deputy Secretary for Education (1)
Deputy Secretary for Health 3
Commissioner for Primary Healthcare (or representative)
Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority (or representative)
*Newly appointed
HKUST, Photo source: FB image
