Event Details
Date : 29 May 2026 (Fri)
Time : 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Venue : Learning Lab (RRS 321, 3/F, Run Run Shaw Building, Main Campus, HKU)
Speaker : Prof. Michael Co, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, HKU
Facilitator : Prof. Luke Fryer, Assistant Director, TALIC, HKU
Abstract
Hong Kong’s rapidly aging population and ongoing brain drain pose unprecedented challenges to our public health system. To ensure a sustainable pipeline of future medical professionals, the SAR Government has expanded medical school admissions. However, this growth has brought about significant hurdles, including limited physical space, staffing constraints, and a scarcity of suitable clinical cases for teaching purposes – all of which impact the quality of undergraduate medical education.
The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated these challenges, temporarily restricting students’ access to hospital premises and shifting didactic sessions to remote platforms. Concurrently, artificial intelligence and tele-education technologies began to revolutionize medical training. Recognizing this shift, the HKUMed has proactively invested in innovative teaching models and techniques to enhance our students’ learning experiences.
In this talk, Prof. Michael Co will share recent developments in Hong Kong’s medical education landscape, highlighting his Faculty’s initiatives such as remote clinical skills training and virtual bedside teaching utilizing AI chatbots. These advancements exemplify how embracing technology can overcome current limitations and prepare our future healthcare professionals for a rapidly evolving landscape.
In addition, Prof. Co will share his Teaching Exchange fellowship to the National University of Singapore, explaining how this fellowship has allowed him and his team to expand their virtual bedside teaching model to the region.
About the Speaker
Prof. Michael Co is a general surgeon, he is also the Assistant Dean (Pedagogy and Assessment) at the LKS Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong.
Apart from clinical innovation and research, Prof. Co is highly active in medical education. In 2021, he led the development of Hong Kong’s first generative artificial intelligence chatbot for clinical bedside teaching. He pioneered virtual bedside teaching methods and, in September 2022, co-hosted the world’s first cross-territorial virtual bedside teaching session with the National University of Singapore, where he is also an Honorary Visiting Fellow. His innovative teaching approaches have received wide coverage from local and international media including BBC World Service.
In recognition of his dedication to medical education, Prof. Co received the HKU Faculty Teaching Medal in 2021. He is also a member of the prestigious Academy of Master Surgeon Educators at the American College of Surgeons, becoming the second Academic from an Asian Institution to be inducted with such honour.
Ms. Canice MOK
Teaching and Learning Innovation Centre- 3917 6069
- tsmok@hku.hk