The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology has appointed Anskar Leung, a former vice-dean at the University of Hong Kong’s medical faculty, as Senior Associate Dean of Medicine and a clinical professor at its planned medical school.
Leung said he had resigned from HKU about four months earlier. He described the chance to help establish a medical school from the beginning as a rare, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
HKUST president Nancy Ip said the university recruits through an open, rigorous global process and does not actively poach staff from the other local medical schools. She said interested candidates had made enquiries even before the selection process began.
Founding dean King Li said the school aims to have at least 100 professors by 2030 and a teacher-student ratio of 1:1 or higher. Early curriculum work is expected to involve part-time, honorary and jointly appointed staff as HKUST recruits full-time academics.
The eight-storey medical education and research building at HKUST’s Clear Water Bay campus topped out last week. It is planned to house teaching spaces, research facilities and a simulation training centre. Ip said Kai Tak Hospital would serve as a temporary teaching hospital.
HKUST aims to admit its first 50 students in the 2028/2029 academic year. The curriculum framework is complete, with review by The Medical Council of Hong Kong pending. Students will also be expected to reach a certain level of Cantonese by graduation.