The University of Hong Kong (HKU) announces the establishment of the School of Biomedical Engineering (SBME), jointly supported by the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Dentistry, the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Science. This unique interdisciplinary collaboration will advance frontier research and education in biomedical engineering, positioning HKU as a global leader in the field.
"The establishment of the School of Biomedical Engineering marks a significant milestone in HKU's drive for interdisciplinary innovation. By harnessing our strengths in dentistry, engineering, medicine, and science, HKU is committed not only to advancing cutting-edge research and nurturing innovative talent but also to actively supporting the national development strategy, furthering Hong Kong's growth as an international education hub," said Professor Xiang Zhang, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKU.
Officially established on 19 March 2025, HKU SBME will welcome its first cohort of students in the 2025-26 academic year. The School will spearhead its flagship programme, the Bachelor of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering, while also developing a suite of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in alignment with the latest advances in medical technology.
"The founding of SBME strengthens HKU's commitment to advancing healthcare technology and innovation. We have a global vision to advance research at the intersection of medicine and engineering, enabled by the unique collaboration between the four Faculties. Our programme is designed to empower students and researchers to transform healthcare by integrating technology, artificial intelligence, engineering, life sciences and clinical translation." said Professor Michael Häusser, Interim Director of the School of Biomedical Engineering.
"SBME not only represents a pivotal step forward for HKU, but also a bold commitment to pioneering cutting-edge biomedical technologies. Looking ahead, we envision SBME as a global premier hub where world-leading biomedical engineering excellence converges with clinical-biomedical insight - redefining the future of healthcare." said Professor Kevin Tsia, Programme Director of the Bachelor of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering.
SBME will provide a unified platform for interdisciplinary translational research and innovation, harnessing HKU's strengths at the intersection of biomedicine and engineering to accelerate breakthroughs that redefine the healthcare landscape. It will also create additional articulation pathways, research attachments, industry placements, and employment opportunities for students, empowering them to become future leaders in medical technology innovation.
