Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Pok Oi Hospital on June 7. This collaboration enables students from HKMU's School of Nursing and Health Studies to undertake internships at nursing homes, homes for the elderly and other day care centres operated by Pok Oi Hospital, thus gaining valuable clinical experience. The partnership will also enhance cooperation in academic research, professional programme development and other areas to cultivate outstanding nursing talent, jointly foster more nursing professionals for Hong Kong, and promote the development of the industry.

The MoU was signed by HKMU President Prof. Paul Lam Kwan-sang and Chairman of the Pok Oi Hospital Board of Directors Mr Chau Chun-tat and witnessed by HKMU Council Chairman Ir Dr Conrad Wong Tin-cheung and Permanent Adviser to the Pok Oi Hospital Board of Directors Mrs Winnie Tam Keung May-chu. According to the agreement, HKMU's Nursing and Health Studies students will undertake internships at Pok Oi Hospital's nursing homes, homes for the elderly, and day care centres. Under professional guidance, the students will participate in clinical internships and frontline elderly care work, reinforcing their practical knowledge and professional skills. Additionally, the students will gain a deeper understanding of elderly care work and its prospects, preparing them for future careers in elderly care.

Both parties will also actively engage in joint research projects, exchange research data and findings, and organise seminars to foster academic exchanges and collaboration. They will also share insights on the planning and development of nursing curricula to establish comprehensive programmes that meet the evolving needs of Hong Kong's nursing profession. These concerted efforts will help train highly qualified nursing personnel to address the growing shortage of professional nurses in Hong Kong.

HKMU Council Chairman Ir Dr Conrad Wong Tin-cheung stated that HKMU has always actively provided students with practical internship and training opportunities through close cooperation with the industry. This collaboration achieves resource complementarity and sharing, greatly benefiting the students. He said, “The nursing programme at HKMU has consistently been one of our most sought-after courses. Since the introduction of our undergraduate nursing programmes in 2005, we have seen steady growth in enrolment. Currently, HKMU nurtures the highest number of nursing students among all institutions in Hong Kong. Pok Oi Hospital, with its extensive experience and pioneering role in elderly care in Hong Kong, is an ideal partner for us. By strengthening cooperation, we can offer our students more invaluable clinical internship opportunities, allowing them to apply their knowledge in real-world settings and gain essential hands-on experience. This collaboration will not only benefit our students, but also help train high-quality new blood to address the pressing need for skilled nursing professionals in Hong Kong.”

Chairman of the Pok Oi Hospital Board of Directors Mr Chau Chun-tat stated that given its well-equipping hardware, Pok Oi Hospital is the ideal setting for HKMU students from the School of Nursing and Health to undertake internships, thus helping train more professional talent for the medical field. “Students will undertake internships in Pok Oi Hospital's nursing homes, homes for the elderly, and day care centres, including the Lam Tei Elderly Care and Nursing Home, which will begin service in early 2027. This will allow the students to practice in real-world medical settings to accumulate hands-on clinical experience and to work with experienced nursing professionals to effectively enhance their knowledge of health and care services at the same time.”