Research Postgraduate Studies
HKU-Shenzhen Hospital (HKU-SZH) PhD Programme

The HKU-Shenzhen Hospital (HKU-SZH) PhD Programme, jointly established by HKU-Shenzhen Hospital (HKU-SZH) and HKUMed, was launched in the 2021-22 academic year to build a research postgraduate (RPg) training system at HKU-SZH to facilitate regional innovation and development. HKU-SZH provides additional research funds and clinical samples from Mainland China, as well as an excellent research environment with well-equipped laboratories, for HKUMed researchers. The aim of this programme is to enhance the research capacities of both sides through academic collaboration, which benefits the overall research development of HKUMed as well as HKU as a whole. 

HKU-SZH is an affiliated teaching hospital of HKU in Shenzhen under the HKU Health System. It was selected as one of the "Construction of high-level hospitals in Guangdong Province" in 2019, which was supported by the governments in Guangdong Province and Shenzhen City to develop clinical translational and basic science research.

Currently, HKU-SZH has a core laboratory, the Clinical, Translational and Basic Research Laboratory (~1,000m²), and other department laboratories, including the Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation (~800m²), Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Innovative Technology in Orthopedic Trauma (~270m²) and AEL-HKUSZH Joint Laboratory of Medical Isotopes (~250m²). The HKU-SZH Translational Medicine Research Center (Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone) will open in December 2024 with 2,500m² of laboratory and office spaces. Phase II of the Research Block (lab space >12,000m²) in the HKU-SZH campus will open in 2025.

Students under the HKU-SZH PhD Programme will be registered as full-time 4-year PhD students at HKU, and be supervised by HKUMed PIs with research projects at HKU-SZH. The students will spend their 1^st and 4^th year (Years 1 and 4) at HKU, and 2^nd and 3^rd year (Years 2 and 3) at HKU-SZH. The two-year period spent in HKU-SZH will be counted towards their study leave.

Supported by HKU-SZH, admitted students will receive monthly Postgraduate Scholarships (PGS) per HKU prevailing rates (current rate at HK$18,760, subject to annual review and adjustment) during their 1^st and 4^th year at HKU, and a monthly stipend of no less than RMB10,000 (plus subsidies for meals) during their 2^nd and 3^rd year at HKU-SZH. Any additional costs related to students' scientific research and doctoral dissertation in HKU-SZH will also be borne by HKU-SZH.

Primary Supervisors of PhD candidates have to be HKUMed PIs who have good track record of supervising RPg students and have grant support at HKU-SZH, and co-supervisors have to be eligible HKUMed PIs working at HKU-SZH regularly. Both supervisors will play an active role in the supervision of students, and to communicate effectively about the study progress of the students through HKU's bi-annual progress reports, reporting on any student achievements, violations and disciplinary actions, discussion on adjustments to research focus, etc. Both supervisors will review the students' progress reports and make recommendations as appropriate.

The Department Research Postgraduate Committees (DRPC) of the candidates' home Departments/Schools at HKUMed will oversee their academic and research matters, similar to the arrangement of other normal HKU RPg students.

A "HKU-SZH RPg Support & Enrichment Unit" has been established by HKU-SZH to ensure the students' daily well-being and oversee their academic/research activities at HKU-SZH.

Recruitment of students will take place globally following HKU and HKUMed's arrangement and timeline, all international/local/mainland students will be considered. Candidates are required to complete all HKU application procedures and the Primary Supervisors should submit their recommendations per usual practice. All recommended candidates must fulfil the PhD entry requirements of HKU Graduate School (GS) and HKUMed. 

Potential candidates are expected to discuss with their supervisors about the terms of studying/conducting research in HKU-SZH, including but not limited to special financial and accommodation arrangements. They are also expected to conduct their thesis-related research at HKU-SZH. Only candidates who agree to these terms will be considered for admission under this programme.

HKU-SZH candidates are required to pay tuition fees to HKU per usual RPg arrangements.

All HKU-SZH PhD candidates will be required to fulfill HKU and HKUMed coursework requirements, and are expected to complete all compulsory courses and laboratory research training in the 1^st year, during which they will acquire a strong knowledge base to continue with further research at HKU-SZH. 

Candidates are expected to spend their 2^nd and 3^rd years in HKU-SZH to conduct research for their thesis. If necessary, students may return to Hong Kong/HKU to take essential courses or take part in other academic activities. Supervisors are responsible for bearing relevant costs (e.g. accommodation and transportation).

The 4^th year will be spent in Hong Kong to complete research and fulfill other requirements for graduation. Candidates will submit thesis and undergo examinations to complete the whole study period.

Students will spend 2 years out of the normative 4 years of PhD studies in HKU-SZH to perform their research work for their thesis. Most research experiments will be performed at HKU-SZH during these 2 years.

Thesis submission and oral examination will be arranged following HKU and HKUMed regulations and procedures.

Students who have fulfilled the graduation requirements and completed the programme as stipulated by HKU regulations will be awarded a PhD degree by HKU and be issued a "Letter of Completion for Joint Training Programme for PhD" by HKU-SZH. A note for participation in the collaborative programme will also be included in the HKU transcript.

If students cannot meet the graduation requirements of HKU after the normative study period of 4 years and need to extend their candidature, the continuation fee for each three-month period thereof and other costs associated with the candidature extension shall be borne by the student and/or supervisor's fund, subject to mutual agreement between the student and the supervisor(s), as stipulated in HKU's regulations.

Accommodation and transportation
During the 2^nd and 3^rd years in HKU-SZH, all students will be provided with a room in the hospital dorm inside HKU-SZH. The dorm has security guards on 24-hour duty and only eligible persons granted with an access card are allowed to enter the building.

Should students need to return to Hong Kong/HKU to conduct experiments and/or attend HKU academic activities, there is a daily shuttle bus travelling between HKU and HKU-SZH. Students can take the bus back to HKU-SZH if they could complete the work within one day. If students need to stay overnight in Hong Kong, their supervisors will support their accommodation.

Medical insurance coverage
Students will have access to the University Health Service and will be covered by the relevant insurance policies as detailed in the GS Handbook. During the period of study at HKU-SZH (i.e. Years 2 and 3), students will be covered by medical insurance arranged by HKU-SZH.

Visa
Students from Hong Kong and Macau do not need study permits to study in Mainland China. Students from Mainland China and Macau are required to apply for a study permit to study in Hong Kong (1^st and 4^th Years). International students (i.e. students who are not permanent residents of Hong Kong nor Mainland China) will need to apply for relevant study permits both to study in Hong Kong (1^st and 4^th Years) and Mainland China (2^nd and 3^rd Years).

Should you require further information on the PhD programme, please contact:
HKU: 
Professor XY Guan (xyguan@hku.hk)
HKU-SZH:
Mr XK Li  (lixk@hku-szh.org) and Ms MX Xie (xiemx1@hku-szh.org)