Committee on biomedical engineering programmes makes recommendations

The expert committee assisting City University of Hong Kong (CityU) on its prospective biomedical engineering programmes, concluded its three-day visit to the University by making its recommendations for the consideration of senior management.

The committee said it was impressed with the research capabilities of CityU in biomedical engineering-related fields and believed a golden opportunity now existed to establish relevant academic programmes. Their finding took into account the enormous development potential of the Greater China and Asian regions.

Professor Wang Lihong, Gene K. Beare Distinguished Professor of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St Louis and chairman of the expert committee, said CityU was in a good position to develop this field. “Members from the College of Science and Engineering have strengths in biomedical engineering-related areas that leave CityU well positioned to build a biomedical engineering programme,” said Professor Wang.

The committee also saw added potential of biomedical engineering programmes in light of the fast-growing China market. “The biomedical engineering programmes will benefit Hong Kong, Greater China and the

rest of the world. It is essential to apply science and engineering to medicine in order to meet future healthcare challenges,” added Professor Wang.

For a successful biomedical engineering programme to be put in place, Professor Wang emphasised the importance of recruiting talented people, having adequate space and securing relevant funding.

In addition to Professor Wang, other members on the committee are Professor Walter H Hsu, Professor of Pharmacology of the Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University; Professor Zhang Yantian, Programme Director of Division of Applied Science and Technology, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institute of Health, and local expert Professor Lo Yuk-lam, Director of The Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong and Member of the Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong University Grants Committee.

The committee met earlier in the day with College of Science and Engineering members, who expressed their opinions on the direction and focus of potential biomedical engineering programmes. Discussions centered on the overall structure and strategies of the programmes. Other questions to be considered by the committee include the availability of laboratory space, recruitment of staff and collaboration with other organisations.