The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has officially established a strategic partnership by signing cooperation agreements with Huashan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University (Huashan) and Ruijin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (Ruijin). The collaboration will focus on research, talent development, medical education, and international exchange, aiming to jointly nurturing clinical scientists and medical professionals with international perspectives and cutting-edge innovative capabilities. This partnership seeks to accelerate the translation and application of high-level clinical research outcomes and promote high-quality development of healthcare across both cities.
A delegation led by HKUST Council Chairman Prof. Harry SHUM, President Prof. Nancy IP, and Provost Prof. GUO Yike met with ZHENG Ning, Secretary of the Party Committee of Huashan Hospital; MAO Ying, President of Huashan Hospital; NING Guang, President of Ruijin Hospital, and HU Weiguo, Secretary of the Party Committee of Ruijin Hospital, along with other representatives from the two hospitals. During the visit, the delegation explored the latest applications and developments of artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies in clinical practice, with a particular focus on disease diagnosis, treatment optimization, and health management.
Prof. Harry Shum stated, "Huashan Hospital and Ruijin Hospital are renowned for their outstanding strengths in medical education and research. This collaboration will enhance HKUST's innovation in medical education, talent development, and faculty training, while fostering interdisciplinary and international academic exchanges. It will accelerate medical research in both Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland, delivering tangible benefits to society. Through deeper cooperation in healthcare between the two cities, we aim to contribute to Hong Kong's healthcare sector and the nation, providing robust support to the Healthy China initiative outlined in the national 15th Five-Year Plan."
Prof. Nancy Ip said, "HKUST is honored to partner with two leading hospitals in Shanghai. Leveraging the support of the HKUST Shanghai Center, we aim to position Shanghai as a key hub for our medical education and clinical practice. This collaboration will provide our medical students with clinical internships and platforms to hone their clinical skills and research capabilities. Drawing on the hospitals' exceptional teaching resources and extensive clinical expertise, we will shape the curriculum and research priorities of our School of Medicine, driving innovation in precision medicine and smart healthcare."
Partnership with Huashan Hospital
This collaboration will elevate medical education and research by cultivating talent through faculty exchanges, joint training, and clinical internships. By combining HKUST's research excellence in AI, data science, engineering, and basic science with Huashan's clinical expertise, the partnership will drive innovation in medical education, clinical practice, and fundamental medical research, accelerate the translation of research into practice, and collaborate closely with international organizations, aiming to secure a prominent position in the global medical network.
Mao Ying, President of Huashan Hospital, stated, "Huashan and HKUST have established a long-standing and robust collaboration in research. HKUST's internationally recognized research strengths in AI and neuroscience complement Huashan's position as a leading national medical center. We look forward to deepening this partnership to jointly cultivate interdisciplinary medical talent who excel in both clinical practice and cutting-edge technology. Together, we aim to explore innovative models of medical education and create a positive framework for healthcare collaboration between the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong, thereby advancing the goals of Healthy China."
Collaboration with Ruijin Hospital
This partnership will focus on developing AI-powered clinical solutions for smart and low-carbon hospitals. By merging Ruijin's clinical strengths with HKUST's capabilities in biomedicine and AI, the collaboration aims to set a benchmark in smart healthcare. These efforts will pave the way for AI-driven smart hospitals, low-carbon eco-friendly hospitals, and collaborative intelligent diagnosis centers, setting a benchmark for smart healthcare. It will also enhance talent development and foster multidisciplinary synergy in medical education to elevate both institutions' global profile and influence.
Ning Guang, President of Ruijin Hospital, remarked, "Ruijin Hospital is actively pursuing its digital transformation to build a next-generation smart healthcare ecosystem. HKUST's research strengths in AI and data science will provide powerful momentum for our development of the 'Future Hospital.' This partnership embodies not only the integration of technology and clinical practice but also reflects a shared vision and deep alignment of ideas. We look forward to jointly pioneering new AI-driven models for medical diagnosis and treatment, while advancing substantive cooperation in precision medicine and the incubation of medical innovations."
This multifaceted collaboration with the two hospitals underscores HKUST's commitment to advancing medical education and research innovation. This initiative aims to cultivate clinical scientists with an international perspective and cutting-edge innovative capabilities to support Hong Kong's development as an international health and medical innovation hub.
