Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) and Auxiliary Medical Service (AMS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today (2 April) marking the official launch of a series of academic collaborations between the two parties.

The MoU was signed by HKMU President Prof. Paul Lam Kwan-sing and AMS Chief Staff Officer Mr Wong Ying-keung. Mr Tang Ping-keung, Secretary for Security of the HKSAR Government, was invited to join the ceremony as the Guest of Honour and witness the signing with HKMU Council Chairman Ir Dr Conrad Wong Tin-cheung.

HKMU and AMS will join hands to promote the diversified development and upward mobility of young people through various educational activities, including medical and health training, service learning programmes, volunteer services and career planning, helping them apply what they have learned to serve and give back to society.

Addressing the ceremony, Mr Tang said that the HKSAR Government attaches much importance to youth development and the signing of the MoU signifies that AMS and HKMU will foster collaboration further in different aspects, especially in the areas of nursing and allied health training, volunteer services and youth services, creating synergies to nurture more talents for Hong Kong.

Ir Dr Wong thanked AMS for its continuous efforts to serve Hong Kong and for its hard work in fighting the pandemic in the past three years, manifesting the spirit of providing emergency relief for those in need. Many of the volunteer members in AMS are teachers, students and alumni of HKMU. He said he firmly believed that HKMU, as one of the key nursing education providers in Hong Kong, will bring greater benefits to society through its partnership with AMS.

Ir Dr Wong reiterated that HKMU is committed to nurturing nursing professionals and noted that currently about one-third of the nursing staff in Hong Kong are graduates of the University. “As a self-financed institution, HKMU enjoys the flexibility to swiftly respond to the needs of society,” he said. “For example, to address the impact of the pandemic on the shortage of healthcare professionals, HKMU promptly increased the number of places in its nursing degree programme.” He added that the University is also actively promoting research and seeking collaboration with different bodies and organisations for the application of its research results.