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The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and Beijing Tiantan Hospital of the Capital Medical University (Beijing Tiantan Hospital), working to advance medical research and clinical practice through the integration of cutting-edge technologies, have announced a partnership.
With an ageing population and increasing healthcare demands worldwide, there is a pressing need for clinician scientists and biotech talents who can bridge the gap between research and clinical treatment. The partnership between HKUST and Beijing Tiantan Hospital aims to address these challenges by cultivating innovative medical talents with expertise in both research and clinical practice.
Through this strategic cooperation agreement, HKUST and Beijing Tiantan Hospital will jointly establish programs to train key talents in medical research and technology. Physicians selected for these programs will undergo rigorous research training at HKUST, where they will actively participate in frontier research projects and gain exposure to the latest research approaches and technologies. This collaboration will focus on areas such as neuroscience, artificial intelligence (AI), and biomedical engineering, with the goal of accelerating the translation of research findings into clinical applications.
At the core of this partnership is the recognition of the transformative potential of technology in healthcare. By leveraging HKUST’s expertise in fields like neuroscience, genetics, bioengineering, data science, AI, and robotics, alongside Beijing Tiantan Hospital’s specialisation in clinical neuroscience and its recent breakthroughs in areas such as brain-computer interface and big data, the two institutions aim to drive innovation in medical research and practice.
The President of HKUST stressed the importance of establishing collaborations with Mainland institutions to advance medical research and clinical practice. She highlighted the role of HKUST in fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and nurturing talents equipped with both research and clinical skills. The HKUST President envisions the establishment of an internationally-leading medical school at HKUST, which will train clinicians and medical professionals to lead the integration of frontier technologies and medical practices.
Similarly, the President of Beijing Tiantan Hospital expressed the hospital’s commitment to nurturing clinical medical scientists who excel in leveraging technology to solve clinical challenges. He emphasised the alignment of Beijing Tiantan Hospital’s mission with that of HKUST in fostering the next generation of medical talents. The President of Beijing Tiantan Hospital believes that integrating research and clinical practice will significantly enhance the translation and application of research findings, ultimately benefiting a larger number of patients.
The collaboration between HKUST and Beijing Tiantan Hospital builds upon their existing research partnership, which has already yielded significant breakthroughs such as a machine learning model for predicting the recovery progress and outcomes of patients with cerebral glioma. This breakthrough demonstrates the potential of technology to revolutionise patient management strategies and implement precise tumour treatments.
Looking ahead, HKUST and Beijing Tiantan Hospital are poised to further strengthen their collaboration, leveraging their respective strengths to drive innovation in medical research and clinical practice. By nurturing talents with expertise in both research and clinical practice and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, the partnership aims to address the evolving healthcare needs of society and promote high-quality healthcare development in both Hong Kong and the Mainland.