The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong (HSUHK)’s Institute of Continuing and Professional Education (ICAPE) announced a strategic partnership with the Greater Bay Area Medical Professional Development Association (GBA-MPDA). A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony was held on 20 January 2024, to solidify a collaboration which would see the development and implementation of training courses by the Future Intelligence-Related Skills & Training Hub (FIRST Hub) under ICAPE, for medical professionals to apply emerging technologies in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) community. This collaboration was expected to have a profound impact on the healthcare industry within GBA.

Dr John Leung, HSUHK’s Associate Vice-President (Knowledge Exchange) and Director of ICAPE, stated that this collaboration held immense significance. “Our courses aim to enhance professional talent within the healthcare industry in Hong Kong and GBA. This collaboration will facilitate the exchange of professional knowledge and expertise, nurture healthcare professionals, improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare services, and create employment opportunities in GBA,” he said. Dr Leung added that the courses would encompass topics such as technology adoption, strategy development, and ethical considerations pertaining to future intelligence technologies deployed in healthcare.

Dr Ko Wing-man, a member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Non-Official Member of the Executive Council of HKSAR, and Honorary President of GBA-MPDA, said that the collaboration would further integrate the Association into healthcare services in Hong Kong and GBA. He said, “The GBA-MPDA is committed to facilitating information exchange among healthcare industries in Hong Kong and the GBA regions, with the ultimate goal to enhance the quality of healthcare services.” Dr Ko also stressed the need for additional training courses so that medical personnel could adopt emerging technologies into healthcare services.

Dr Liu Shao-haei, Dean of the Hong Kong Institute of Medical Administration, Occupational Health and Medical Consultant and Honorary Advisor (Academic) of FIRST Hub, voiced his support for the integration of healthcare development between Hong Kong and GBA, emphasising that training medical professionals in GBA with new technologies presented a significant opportunity for innovation within the healthcare industry. Dr Liu believed that the integration of healthcare development could address the shortage of healthcare personnel in Hong Kong and promote the applications of innovative medical technologies, and in doing so, greatly improve the quality of medical services provided in the region.