HKUMed’s new leadership team poised to reach new heights

The new leadership team of LKS Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed), led by Dean of Medicine, Professor Chak-Sing Lau, is poised to reach new heights in medical education and research through extensive development plans.

“With 37 members, this is the largest leadership team in HKUMed’s history,” pointed out Lau.

The development plans cover six areas and are led by Professor Gilberto Leung (Associate Dean [Teaching & Learning]), Professor Eric Tse (Associate Dean [Research]), Professor Victoria Wong (Associate Dean [Clinical Affairs]), Professor Ying-Shing Chan (Senior Advisor to the Dean cum Director of Campus Development & Infrastructure), Professor Leo Poon (Associate Dean [Human Capital]), and Professor Ivan Hung (Associate Dean [Partnership & Engagement]).

EdTech and students’ involvement in medical education

One of the new approaches in medical education utilizes the transformative potential of education technology (EdTech). HKUMed will integrate the HKU-specific GenAI large language models for teaching and learning, the virtual reality (VR) Techmezz experience zone for anatomy learning, the AI Virtual Patient diagnostic application for simulated patient-doctor interactions as well as point-of-care ultrasound into the latest curriculum.

“We recognize that teaching is an important part of healthcare professionals’ work, and our students can also enrich us, especially in this era of rapid technological evolution,” said Leung. Through the Student in Medical and Health Sciences Education (SIMHSE) initiative, the faculty encourages students’ involvement in teaching and curriculum development through peer tutoring, active learning pedagogy and EdTech.

Translational and cross-disciplinary research, tech transfer

The emphasis on collaboration in teaching and learning aligns with HKUMed’s strategy of translational and cross-disciplinary research. “A key initiative is to work with the Biomedical Engineering Department for translational medicine and technology transfer,” said Tse.

With its community of top researchers, HKUMed received a total of HKD 847.6 million in funding in 2022─2023. A total of 273 papers have been published in high-impact journals since 2019, while 501 patents have been granted as of January 2024. “Notably, 31 of our researchers have been recognized as the top 1 percent ‘Highly Cited Researchers 2023’ by Clarivate Analytics,” highlighted Tse.

Expansion of infrastructure and human capital

“To relieve the shortage of public healthcare manpower, HKUMed can admit another 100 undergraduate students per year, if required and supported by resources,” said Lau. Phase 1 of the Clinical Training and Amenities Centre on Sassoon Road, which includes student residences and a mental health centre for students, will be completed in 2024─2025, followed by phase 2 of student residences in 2027. “In 2028, a new academic building spanning 26,000 m² will be completed on an extension site east of No.3 Sasson Road to address medium-term needs for additional space for academic activities,” added Chan.

As the team’s ambitions grow, plans are also in place to recruit and retain talent by attracting high-calibre individuals through mainland China, global, alumni and community network engagement as well as by providing career advancement opportunities and enhancing staff well-being.