History
Founded in 2015, the School of Biomedical Sciences builds on a more than a century-long legacy in advancing modern medicine at the oldest academic institution in Hong Kong. As the largest pre-clinical School at HKUMed, we draw on the Faculty’s 135-year heritage to advance fundamental understanding of life and translate discoveries to improve human health.
The roots of School of Biomedical Sciences trace back to 1887, when the Hong Kong College of Medicine for Chinese—the predecessor of today’s Faculty of Medicine—was established. Medicine became a founding faculty when the University of Hong Kong was created in 1911. The School of Biomedical Sciences was formed on July 1 2015, through a merger of the three pre-clinical Departments of Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry each of which played a key role in the development of modern medicine in Hong Kong. The School is based on the Sassoon Road Campus of Pokfulam, on the south side of Hong Kong Island . In 2012, HKU launched Hong Kong’s first Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences programme, promoting interdisciplinary training and integrating basic biomedical sciences into the medical curriculum. Building on our heritage in anatomy, biochemistry and physiology, SBMS now focuses on interdisciplinary research spanning the molecular, cellular and systems levels, powered by enabling technologies in data science, synthetic biology and artificial intelligence.
Milestones
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
Jul, 2015
Formation of the School of Biomedical Sciences with the merging of Departments of Anatomy, Biochemistry, and Physiology.
Sep, 2016
1st Cohort of students graduated with Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences Degree (3 Dean’s List; 7 First-Class Honours).
May, 2017
1st Scientific Advisory Board Meeting.
Dec, 2018
School’s Research Day held at the University of Hong Kong.
Jan, 2019
1st Teaching & Learning Retreat at Centennial Campus, HKU.
Sep, 2020
Inaugural issue of the School Newsletter published.
Jun, 2021
1st Knowledge Exchange Retreat at the University of Hong Kong.
Sep, 2022
Launch of BSc (Bioinformatics) Programme with the intake of our first cohort of students.
Nov, 2023
The 6th Shirley Boyde Memorial Lecture delivered by 2013 Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine Professor Randy Schekman.
Nov, 2024
Launch of the revamped BBiomedSc programme, merging Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences and BSc (Bioinformatics).
Jul, 2025
10th Anniversary of the School of Biomedical Sciences.
Mission
Director’s Message
Our School aims to make fundamental scientific discoveries and translate these findings into new treatments for disease. Together, through collaboration and innovation, we will strengthen our global impact and foster the next generation of scientific leaders.
Michael Häusser
Director of School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong
Aim
The School of Biomedical Sciences advances fundamental biological knowledge and translates discoveries to transform medicine in Hong Kong and beyond. We foster a diverse, inclusive, collaborative and ambitious culture in teaching, learning and research, developing talent to drive disruptive discoveries and develop transformative solutions. Our faculty, students and staff work together to tackle the pressing questions that will help us to shape a healthier, more sustainable future.
