The HKU Biomedical Sciences Summer Academy 2025 recently concluded, offering a week of inspiration and discovery for its participants. Held from 4th to 8th of August, the programme welcomed 49 enthusiastic students from 10 local secondary schools, providing them with an enriching introduction to the dynamic field of biomedical sciences. Beyond the success of this year’s event, the academy continues to stand as a meaningful platform for nurturing curiosity and inspiring future scientists.

A Memorable Journey:
The academy has always been thoughtfully designed to spark curiosity and deepen understanding of biomedical sciences among students. This year’s programme, like those before it, gave participants the opportunity to explore cutting-edge research within the School of Biomedical Sciences at HKUMed. Beyond academics, the academy also fosters a collaborative and supportive environment, where students form friendships and work together to solve challenges. 
“I especially enjoyed the hands-on activities, such as VR experiences and visits to the anatomy and research labs. These are things that rarely seen in daily life and such opportunities gave me a deeper appreciation for technological advancements and the contributions of others to society.”
“I enjoyed collaborating with new people, as meeting others is always a valuable opportunity to learn and develop new skills.”

What Students Loved Most:
Over the years, the academy has consistently received glowing feedback for its engaging and diverse activities. Hands-on experiments remain a hallmark of the programme, allowing students to actively engage with complex scientific concepts.
“The experiments! This activity featured several distinctive and interesting experiments, each very engaging.”
“I think the planarians dissection was my favourite part, because I could witness the amazing abilities of nature.”
“As someone who is not a medical student, I never expected to visit a Great Body Teacher. Seeing them in person was remarkable, and I am deeply grateful for every donor’s selfless contribution.”

Beyond the Textbooks:
The academy’s strength lies in its ability to go beyond traditional classroom learning. Its immersive experiences leave a lasting impact on participants. Inspired by the event, one participant from last year, with support from Dr. Wilson Chan, introduced one of the experiments at her own school. Below is an excerpt from her reflection on how the programme influenced her:
“Participating in the academy was a transformative experience. The hands-on sessions, from learning ECG and EMG procedures under students’ guidance to exploring planarian regeneration, brought textbook concepts to life in a way that no classroom lesson could.
For me, this wasn’t just about gaining skills; it was about seeing how biomedical science connects to real world health and discovery. It sparked a curiosity I hadn’t felt before, especially during the planarian experiments. Watching those small organisms regrow and discussing their potential for medical research felt like uncovering a hidden world of possibility. 
That’s why I wanted to share this excitement with junior students at my school. Many of them haven’t had the chance to explore biomedical science up close, and I hoped a simple workshop on planarians could show them how fascinating the field is.” By Mandy Zheng (Hong Kong Management Association K S Lo College)

Now in its fourth year, the HKU Biomedical Sciences Summer Academy has become a meaningful tradition, empowering students with knowledge, skills, and inspiration. Participants across all years have left the programme with enriched knowledge and a renewed excitement for the limitless possibilities in biomedical research. The continued success of the academy is a testament to the dedication of our School’s members and the support of the Croucher Foundation. As it evolves, this programme holds the promise of even greater achievements, ensuring that it remains a platform for nurturing the next generation of scientists.