The technology focus dovetails with another initiative, Students in Medical and Health Sciences Education (SIMHSE), which recognises that students should play a more active role in curriculum development and teaching, especially given the new technologies at people’s disposal, and to learn to become tomorrow’s teachers. ‘The current generation of students has very different learning habits from me or my colleagues,’ Professor Leung said, ‘and we surely need to know what works best for them. We have invited students to join many of our Teaching & Learning committees and working groups, and to participate in developing, revising and implementing curriculum components and be part of our team.’ So far nearly 100 students have been involved at various levels, while others have launched near-peer tutoring programmes and developed technological aids for their classmates. ‘There is a flatter arrangement now between the deanery and the student community. We hope that it will not only improve the quality of education, but also encourage our students to give back to the profession,’ he said. Apart from technology, the other major challenge is demographic. Hong Kong needs more doctors. The Dean has said the Faculty could admit up to 400 medical students annually in the future, from 295 today. However, at the same time, the number of Hong Kong’s secondary school students is decreasing. ‘We need to adapt to a slightly different population,’ Professor Leung added. ‘Inevitably, the academic abilities of each cohort will be more diverse. We have to be mindful of striking the right balance between quantity and quality in designing and implementing our programme.’ The recently introduced ‘core programme’ addresses students’ learning diversity and the ever-expanding amount of medical knowledge by equipping them with knowledge and skills essential for safe and competent medical practice. There is at the same time the ‘advanced programme’ to cater for and recognise students who are capable of going beyond the basics although students must pass the core programme to graduate. In addition, the new Distinguished MedScholar (DMS) track, launched in September 2023, will provide gifted, motivated students with intensive research training to prepare them for higher degrees and potentially a career in academia. They are also encouraged to be more proactive and engage with the wider communities; groups of DMS students have already conducted activities to promote blood donation on the main HKU campus and medical education to their high schools. Student well-being remains a high priority. HKUMed established a dedicated team more than five years ago to promote well-being before crises arise, using peer support among ↑The Students in Medical and Health Science Education (SIMHSE) initiative encourages students to play a more active role in curriculum and teaching. other measures. Overall, Professor Leung’s aim is to help the Faculty stay ahead of the curve during these times of great change. ‘Hopefully HKUMed will do better than just adapt and be a passive recipient to all the changes that are happening. We want to shape the landscape. I am pretty certain that with the work we have done, we will be able to play an active role,’ he said. Professor Leung has Assistant Deans supporting him in seven other areas besides education innovations: Professor Kenny Kwan Yat-hong in MBBS admissions, Professor Chung Pui-hong in health sciences admissions, Professor Esther Chan Wai-yin in health sciences education, Professor Pamela Lee Pui-wah in medical education, Professor Gordon Wong Tin-chun in professional development in medicine, Professor Kelvin Wang Manping in professional development in health sciences, and Professors Julie Chen Yun, Paul Lee Chi-ho and Kendrick Co Shih in student wellness and engagement. He is also assisted by Senior Advisor, Professor Julian Alexander Tanner. ‘We want to shape the landscape. I am pretty certain that with the work we have done, we will be able to play an active role.’ Professor Gilberto Leung Ka-kit 11 HKUMed News Summer 2024
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