(Chinese version available for some sections only)
The Honorable Mr. John Lee, 尊敬的周霽主任,李永勝副特派員, Prof. CM Lo, Dr. Christine Choi, Pro-Chancellor John Chan, Council Chairman Harry Shum, Court Chair Andrew Liao, Distinguished guests, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,
It is a great honor to speak at this historic moment—the groundbreaking of HKUST’s Medical Education and Research Complex. This ceremony marks a defining milestone for the University and a significant step forward in establishing the HKUST School of Medicine.
Please allow me to take this opportunity, once again and in person, to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Chief Executive Mr. John Lee and the Task Group on the New Medical School, co-chaired by the Secretary for Health, Professor C M Lo, and the Secretary for Education, Dr Christine Choi, for the steadfast support and confidence in approving the establishment of the city’s third medical school at HKUST. This trust reinforces our resolve to contribute meaningfully to Hong Kong’s healthcare development through education, research, and innovation.
感謝周主任和李副特派員蒞臨指導，特別感謝周主任一直以來對香港高等教育及醫療發展的關心與支持。您對我們真的是莫大的鼓勵，也彰顯了中央對培育醫療人才，推動醫學創新的高度重視。我們非常感謝！
I also want to express my sincere appreciation to our many partners who have stood with us as valued advisors, partners and a constant source of help. We deeply value the relationships we have built, and we are grateful for the trust and confidence you place in our University as we enter this new chapter. We know this is a long journey, one we cannot travel alone. We look forward to walking closely with you, building on your continued support, guidance and partnership to turn our shared vision into lasting impact.
The aspiration to contribute to medical education is deeply rooted in HKUST’s founding spirit. Thirty five years ago, our Founding President envisioned Hong Kong’s first research intensive university, created not merely to transmit knowledge, but to create knowledge with tangible impact on society. That vision—grounded in courage, innovation, and a strong sense of responsibility—has shaped the University from its very beginning.
Today, as we break ground on this Medical Education and Research Complex, we honor that legacy by embracing the same determined, can do spirit. Over the past three decades, HKUST has grown rapidly in scale and impact, continuously pushing boundaries. As Hong Kong grapples with the challenges posed by an ageing population and the strains it places on our societal resources, we must act with urgency and foresight. We recognize that the future of healthcare rests not only on the pillars of medical education and practice but also on the dynamic intersection of technology and interdisciplinary collaboration. That is why we take this decisive and proactive step forward.
The establishment of our School of Medicine signifies another ambitious chapter in the University’s history. This groundbreaking marks its physical and symbolic start. The new School will draw on our strengths in science and engineering, business, and the humanities and social sciences—from AI and data science to healthcare management, medical ethics, and health policy. It seeks to prepare a new generation of medical doctors who are grounded in clinical excellence, guided by compassion, and equipped with the technological and analytical capabilities needed to respond to the evolving landscape of healthcare. The journey will be arduous, but our shared commitment drives us forward.
This Medical Education and Research Complex will be purpose built to welcome our first cohort of students in 2028. It will house state of the art teaching and learning facilities, research laboratories and collaborative spaces that support internationally benchmarked standards and offer flexibility to adapt to ever changing practices in medical education and research. While the School’s permanent campus will be located in Ngau Tam Mei, the Complex provides a critical investment for the transitional phase, a dedicated, foundational base during this formative period. Located on our main campus, it will also encourage daily interactions and interdisciplinary collaboration with other schools of the University, enriching both medical education and University wide innovation.
This groundbreaking is only the beginning. We recognize that we are new to this field, and we do not take that lightly. With humility, we come ready to listen, learn, and be guided by those who have paved the way before us—our partners, mentors, and colleagues across the medical and academic community. At the same time, we bring a spirit of respectful inquiry: to explore new possibilities, and offer a fresh perspective. We see our new medical school as working alongside and adding value to the excellent work already being done by the existing medical schools in Hong Kong. It is through our combined and complementary efforts—each bringing different strengths yet sharing the same commitment—that we will all grow and innovate together, developing Hong Kong into a health and medical innovation hub, and supporting the Nation's Healthy China direction and the 15th Five Year Plan. The real work lies ahead—and we are grateful to have you with us on this journey. Together, let us build something worthy of the trust you have placed in us. Thank you.