HKUST med school dean appointed

The Hong Kong Government has welcomed the appointment of Prof Li King-chuen as the Founding Dean of Medicine at the Hong Kong University of Science & Technology (HKUST). The appointment takes immediate effect and represents a key milestone in the university’s preparations for launching the city’s third medical school. Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau highlighted the significance of this development for Hong Kong’s long-term healthcare growth. He noted Prof Li’s prior leadership as Founding Dean of the Carle Illinois College of Medicine at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, describing his experience as invaluable for guiding HKUST’s medical school initiatives. These include recruiting faculty, designing curricula, and collaborating with local healthcare partners and the Medical Council of Hong Kong for accreditation. Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin praised Prof Li’s global vision and interdisciplinary background in medicine, engineering, and data science. He expressed hope that Prof Li will lead HKUST in creating an innovative medical education model that aligns with local standards while maintaining international relevance. The new school will integrate clinical medicine, emerging technologies, and research to strengthen Hong Kong’s healthcare system. Prof Li, a Hong Kong native, is an internationally recognized physician-scientist and biomedical innovator. He currently serves as Dean Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of the Carle Illinois College of Medicine and holds an adjunct professorship at Stanford University’s School of Medicine. His leadership is expected to drive the development of HKUST’s medical school on its Ngau Tam Mei campus, including plans for a new integrated teaching and research hospital.