Hong Kong’s oldest medical school has received the green light to launch a new graduate-entry programme, which will welcome its first batch of 25 students in September, as the city plans to tackle a shortage of doctors and become a biomedical hub.
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The University of Hong Kong (HKU) announced on Monday that degree holders had until June 20 to apply for the four-year medicine programme, adding that it would host an information session on Wednesday next week.
Professor Wallace Lau Chak-sing, dean of medicine at HKU, said the University Grants Committee had recently approved the programme and that its update was submitted to the Medical Council of Hong Kong.
“Students with a first degree have a robust academic foundation that enhances the integration of cross-disciplinary knowledge into medical education,” Lau said, adding that this could facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge integration.
He added that the city was facing an ageing population and a shortage of healthcare professionals, making the acceleration of talent training a pressing priority.
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“This new programme opens a new pathway for aspiring medical professionals while strengthening and diversifying the talent pool for the healthcare system and clinical research,” he said.
