Under the auspices of the National Health Commission (NHC), the inaugural ‘Interdisciplinary and Composite Talents in Medicine, Disease Prevention and Control, and Management Training Programme’, organised by the School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed), concluded successfully after three weeks of intensive training. This initiative was made possible through a generous donation from the Institute of Philanthropy Medical and Health Scholarship-cum-Fellowship for Top Talent in the Mainland.
The inaugural training programme brought together 24 participants from the NHC, the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, and other directly affiliated and related organisations. The programme featured 52 experts from various departments and disciplines at HKU, as well as international organisations and non-governmental organisations, who participated in both in-person and online teaching sessions. The participants engaged in in-depth discussions in three key areas: Hong Kong's healthcare system and global health governance, medical regulation and public health talent development, and emerging medical technologies and international collaboration trends. It provided participants with comprehensive expertise while facilitating the exchange of innovative ideas and cross-disciplinary knowledge in healthcare leadership.
The School was honoured to welcome Mr Leung Chun-ying, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), former Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (HKSAR), and Chairman of the GX Foundation, for an Exchange Session at HKU. Mr Leung shared the GX Foundation's mission, objectives, and achievements in delivering international humanitarian aid across eight Belt and Road countries. He emphasised, ‘As Chinese people, we now have the capacity to extend our reach globally with the spirit of connectivity and shared prosperity, working together to build a global community of health for all.’ His vision deeply inspired all participants. Mr Lester Huang, Chairman of the Institute of Philanthropy, also attended the event, engaging with participants and sharing his perspectives on philanthropy and leadership, further reinforcing the programme's mission to cultivate well-rounded professionals equipped to address global health challenges.
Professor Lo Chung-mau, Secretary for Health of the Government of the HKSAR, officiated at the opening ceremony and delivered the welcome remarks. Led by Professor Vivian Lin Kwang-wen, Honorary Professor in the School of Public Health of HKUMed and former Director of Health Systems for the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Western Pacific Regional Office, renowned health and medical experts were brought together from around the world to provide participants with comprehensive knowledge and expand their horizons. Distinguished guest speakers were Dr Margaret Chan, Founding Dean of the Vanke School of Public Health of Tsinghua University and Emeritus Director-General of the WHO; Professor Sophia Chan Siu-chee, Senior Advisor of the HKU President's Office, Professor and Director of the HKU Primary Health Care Academy, Professor in the School of Public Health of HKUMed, and former Secretary for Food and Health of the Government of the HKSAR; Professor Kenneth Cheung Man-chee, Hospital Chief Executive of the HKU-Shenzhen Hospital; Professor Gong Peng, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic Development) of HKU; Dr Tony Ko, former Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority of the Government of the HKSAR; Dr Ronald Lam, Director of Health of the Government of the HKSAR; Professor Philip Li Kam-tao, President of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine; Dr Donald Li Kwok-tung, Chairman of the Elderly Commission, Labour and Welfare Bureau of the Government of the HKSAR; Professor Patrick Nip Tak-kuen, Adjunct Professor of the Department of Politics and Public Administration at HKU and former Secretary for the Civil Service of the Government of the HKSAR; and Dr Pang Fei-chau, Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, Primary Healthcare Commission of the Health Bureau of the Government of the HKSAR.
Participants gained a comprehensive understanding of the unique features and strengths of Hong Kong's healthcare system through in-depth analysis by esteemed experts. Beyond theoretical learning, they actively participated in thematic lectures, case-based discussions, and field visits to a diverse range of healthcare institutions, such as Castle Peak Hospital, the HKBU Chinese Medicine Hospital Office, Gleneagles Hospital, GX Foundation, H.K.S.K.H. St. Luke's Settlement Neighbourhood Elderly Centre, the HKUMed Community Pharmacy, Hong Kong St. John Ambulance, and the Kwai Tsing District Health Centre. These immersive experiences allowed the participants to gain a better understanding of Hong Kong's healthcare system and translate theoretical knowledge into practical applications. Through this enriching learning and hands-on exposure, the participants reinforced their professional knowledge and enhanced their practical skills and service capabilities, laying a solid foundation for their future development and application in the healthcare field.
To celebrate HKU's longstanding academic tradition, a Farewell and Thanksgiving Dinner was held at St. John's College. The following day, a certificate presentation ceremony was held at The Hong Kong Jockey Club, where remarks were delivered by Ms Li Wei, Deputy Director-General of the Office of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan of the NHC; Dr Gabriel Leung, Director of the Institute of Philanthropy; and Professor Lau Chak-sing, Vice-President & Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health) and Dean of Medicine at the University of Hong Kong. Certificates of completion were presented to all participants by Professor Lau; Mr Fang Jianning, Deputy Director-General (Acting Chief) of the Health Human Resources Development Center of the NHC; and Mr Dylan Lu, Chief Mainland Representative of the Institute of Philanthropy, bringing the programme to a meaningful conclusion.
The School of Public Health at HKUMed is confident that this training programme marks just the beginning of a fruitful collaboration. Future efforts will focus on deepening the partnership with the NHC through the establishment of a dedicated professional exchange platform. By sharing valuable insights and expertise, this initiative aims to foster renewed momentum in advancing the nation's public health initiatives.
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Other Distinguished Guest Speakers of the Training Programme
Overseas Universities
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Please contact LKS Faculty of Medicine of The University of Hong Kong by email (medmedia@hku.hk).
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