The following is issued on behalf of the Institute of Philanthropy

In collaboration with the National Health Commission (NHC) and funded by the Institute of Philanthropy (IoP), The Hong Kong Jockey Club Medical and Health Scholarship-cum-Fellowship for Top Talent in the Mainland (the “Initiative”) has supported 29 top medical and health professionals from the Mainland to undertake Master’s, doctoral studies and post-doctoral training at three universities in Hong Kong. Additionally, in mid-April, the programme supported 25 senior officials of the national health system to undertake a two-week The Hong Kong Jockey Club Leadership Programme for Senior Executives in the National Health System at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST).

Since the signing of the “Collaboration Agreement Between the National Health Commission and The Hong Kong Jockey Club on a Scholarship-cum-Fellowship for Top Talent in the Mainland” between NHC and The Hong Kong Jockey Club (“the Club”) in March last year, and with support from the Health Human Resources Development Centre of the NHC (“Programme Management Office”), preparation and selection work for the Initiative has been well underway. The goal is to nurture a cohort of core talent with professional competence, strategic thinking and a global perspective in the fields of medicine and health. After rigorous assessment by a selection committee comprising leading medical and health experts in the Mainland and Hong Kong, 29 medical and health professionals across the nation were awarded scholarships or fellowships to pursue Master’s degrees, doctoral degrees and post-doctoral training in medical research, public health, biomedical sciences and health management at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and The University of Hong Kong (“HKU”). The scholarship recipients commenced their studies or training in the 2024/25 academic year.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Leadership Programme for Senior Executives in the National Health System completed in April 2025 at HKUST was the first short course under the Initiative. It aims to enhance the leadership and professional competency of senior officials in the national health system in support of the implementation of the Healthy China 2030 Blueprint. The 25 scholarship recipients included senior officials from central ministries (including the NHC), as well as health commissions and medical institutions from 19 provinces and cities. The training course not only provided participants with opportunities to broaden their horizons and deepen their professional knowledge, but also laid a solid foundation for future co-operation between Hong Kong and the Mainland in the fields of medicine and health. The Programme Management Office is planning to organise a second short course at HKU in June 2025.

Mr. Lester Huang, Chairman of IoP and a Steward of the Club, stated: “Talent and sector development is one of the key priority areas of our charity strategy. This scholarship programme fully leverages Hong Kong’s role as an international education hub, working closely with local universities to provide training for the country’s medical and health talent, exemplifying our commitment to community betterment. We are grateful for the support given to the scholarship programme by the universities, and will continue to support other local universities in participating in the high-quality development of the national medical and health sector.”

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Medical and Health Scholarship-cum-Fellowship for Top Talent in the Mainland is funded by a donation of about HK$300 million from IoP, established jointly by the Club and its Charities Trust in September 2023. The programme focuses on the development of top professional talent in clinical services and health management, demonstrating IoP’s strong support for the Healthy China 2030 Blueprint and the 14th Five-Year Plan on health-talent development.

About The Institute of Philanthropy
The Institute of Philanthropy was established in September 2023 through a strategic seed grant of HK$6.8 billion (US$870 million) from The Hong Kong Jockey Club and its Charities Trust. Established as a “think-fund-do” tank for China and Asia, IoP is dedicated to promoting philanthropic thought-leadership and enhancing sector capabilities at local, regional and global levels in collaboration with fellow funders. It seeks to provide an Asia-based platform bringing global stakeholders together to promote the betterment of societies everywhere.