HONG KONG -- The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) on Tuesday held a groundbreaking ceremony for its medical education & research complex, marking a crucial step forward in HKUST's medical education endeavor.

Speaking at the ceremony, John Lee, chief executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said that the national 15th Five-Year Plan supports Hong Kong in becoming an international hub for high-calibre talent, and that a new medical school will help turn that vision into reality, attracting and training top talent in healthcare and higher education.

With an investment of about HK$2 billion (about $255 million), the eight-story building is scheduled for completion in mid-2028, when the first batch of students will be admitted.

Nancy Ip, president of HKUST, said that the academic scope of the new medical school will cover areas including artificial intelligence and data science, healthcare management, medical ethics, and health policy.

Ip hoped that it would collaborate with Hong Kong's two existing medical schools to build on current achievements, add value, and jointly promote Hong Kong's development into an international hub for medical innovation.

At present, Hong Kong has two medical schools, established by the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong. In November 2025, HKUST received approval to establish the city's third medical school, with plans to launch a new four-year second-degree medical program.