The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government has formally approved the establishment of a third medical school, signaling a major strategic investment in public health and medical talent development. Secretary for Health Professor Lo Chung-mau announced on November 18, 2025, that the Executive Council selected the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) to spearhead the new institution, differentiating its development from the city’s two established programs. The initiative aims to dramatically expand the pipeline of trained doctors while reinforcing Hong Kong’s regional leadership in healthcare innovation.
A New Model for Medical Education
This ambitious project stems directly from the 2024 Policy Address commitment to strategically enhance the SAR’s medical framework. The new school is expected to admit its inaugural cohort of 50 students in 2028, with the first class of graduates entering their internship phase by 2030.
HKUST will leverage a substantial internal investment strategy, fostering a close public-private partnership model. Professor Lo underscored the university’s strong financial footing, noting that HKUST is committing approximately HK$2 billion for the construction of a comprehensive medical complex situated at its Clear Water Bay campus. Over the next 25 years, the university’s total committed capital input, including infrastructure, is set to nearly match the government’s financial backing on a one-to-one basis, ensuring enhanced accountability and efficiency in resource deployment.
Strategic Location and Differentiation
A crucial element of the plan involves earmarking land in the Northern Metropolis at Ngau Tam Mei for the eventual development of a purpose-built university teaching campus and an integrated medical teaching and research hospital.
This differentiated approach is central to the government’s vision. Unlike existing institutions, the third medical school is specifically designed to align with three overarching goals: bolstering the domestic talent pool, integrating Hong Kong’s healthcare system more closely with national development goals within the Greater Bay Area, and cementing the city’s status as an international hub for health and medical advancements.
To manage the selection process, the government formed a Task Group on the New Medical School in October 2024, co-chaired by the Secretaries for Education and Health. The task group meticulously evaluated proposals against ten key criteria. These considerations included factors such as curriculum innovation, faculty experience, institutional capacity, and long-term financial viability. HKUST’s proposal emerged as the preferred choice due to its academic excellence, sustainable financial planning, and clear alignment with Hong Kong’s strategic positioning within the wider regional context.
Impact and Future Outlook
The launch of the HKUST medical school marks a significant step in the administration’s people-centred agenda, prioritizing public health resilience and specialized talent cultivation. By increasing training capacity in synergy with existing programs, the project ensures a sustainable supply of qualified medical practitioners vital for serving the community’s evolving needs.
Furthermore, this expansion is poised to elevate Hong Kong’s global competitiveness as a center for world-class medical research and healthcare services. Leveraging the resources and strategic location provided by the Northern Metropolis, the new institution is set to become a cornerstone for health innovation, cultivating next-generation medical leaders integrated within the nation’s accelerated modernization efforts. Officials anticipate that the new school will begin contributing meaningfully to the healthcare workforce within the next decade.