To enhance the development of medical diagnosis and treatment of multiple specialty diseases, two local universities announced the collaboration with several top-notch overseas institutions respectively.

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) established its partnership with ETH Zurich, Imperial College London and Johns Hopkins University in late January. They agreed to set up the Multi-Scale Medical Robotics Centre (MRC), which aims to advance the diagnosis and treatment of multiple medical specialties through developing effective and accessible imaging and robotic technology. The MRC will conduct a range of robotic technology research programmes, which will help improve the performance of minimally invasive, robotic and endoluminal surgeries, so that more patients can be treated with a less invasive surgical approach. Thess advanced technologies will bring better caring services for the elderly and alleviate the economic burden of these patients.

On the other hand, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Harvard Medical School, Stanford University School of Medicine and University College London, establishing the centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases. With its focus on Alzheimer’s disease, the center for Neurodegenerative Diseases aims to bring significant progress to related diagnoses. It also serves as a synergistic and innovative platform for scientists from the four institutions to integrate their strengths and expertise, and engage in research with societal impact. The scientists will also have collaborations with the researchers from University of Tokyo, as well as the local clinicians at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, the Prince of Wales Hospital, and the Haven of Hope Christian Service in engaging local patient groups, which is critical for the development of personalised medicine.