Curriculum
144 related courses were offered in the 2024–25 academic year.
Policies
The University places a high importance on creating a safe and health-focused environment for its community and visitors. The University Medical Service Office (UMSO), which is responsible for delivering exceptional primary healthcare and health education to the university community, plays a crucial role in this mission. In order to maintain health standards on campus and offer guidance on preventive measures and infection control in response to local and global health risks, CUHK has established a Committee on Health Promotion and Protection. UMSO serves as the operational arm of this committee. It manages a range of health initiatives including health promotion activities, vaccination drives, mental health support, counselling services, and health seminars.
Research
Stroke remains a leading cause of death and long-term disability worldwide. To address this challenge, a cross-disciplinary research team from the Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Engineering has developed a pioneering sub-millimeter Magnetically Actuated Soft Rotatable-tipped Microcatheter (MSRM) for targeted endovascular interventions. With its soft, rotating tip guided by external magnetic fields, the MSRM enables precise navigation to the blockage. Once there, it can directly deliver clot-dissolving drugs, mechanically break down clots, and safely retrieve clot debris. This all-in-one design eliminates tool exchanges, reduces procedural risks, and enhances treatment efficiency. It therefore has the potential to provide a faster and safer solution than conventional stroke interventions.
The Faculty of Medicine and Peking University Sixth Hospital jointly conducted Asia’s first clinical research into digital cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (the “Digital CBT-I intervention App”). The app offers a fully automated, self-help treatment that has achieved a high completion rate and is more readily accepted by the digital-native generation. It has been shown to significantly improve insomnia and depressive symptoms in young people and reduce their chances of developing depression by more than 40%. By empowering young people to proactively understand and manage their sleep and psychological wellbeing, this innovative approach represents a new, highly effective strategy for treating mental illness.
Health outreach at community
Alzheimer’s disease poses a severe threat to Hong Kong’s rapidly ageing population. In partnership with the Charles K. Kao Foundation for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), the University has recently launched the Charles Kao CUHK BEAT AD Service, which provides free, comprehensive, community-based Alzheimer’s disease screening to Hong Kong residents aged 60 to 80. By identifying the elderly individuals who have early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease or those who are at risk of the disease, tailor-made preventive measures can be implemented to mitigate the growing burden of dementia and slow its progression. The Charles Kao CUHK BEAT AD Service truck is now stationed on the CUHK campus. During its pilot phase (2023–2025), it helped over 700 elderly citizens and their caregivers to prepare themselves for the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease. The Clinical Neuroscience Centre in the CUHK Medical Centre has also joined forces with the Foundation to establish a ‘Neurocognitive Registry’ to advance medical research on dementia and AD.
The Centre for Health Education and Health Promotion in The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care hosted the Healthy School Forum to promote the early strengthening of school children’s resilience in April 2025. Nearly 500 primary and secondary school students, teachers and parents attended the forum. With the theme ‘Triumph Over Challenges, Soar into the Future’, the event brought together cross-sector experts and stakeholders to address young people’s mental health. The forum highlighted the importance of launching integrated physical and mental wellness campaigns within schools, so as to foster collaboration to build a supportive environment, equip students with the necessary skills and resources to cope with challenges and enhance their overall well-being from a young age.
Enhancing health awareness
The Medical Society hosted the CUHK Health Exhibition 2025 with the theme ‘Mind in Motion’. The exhibition aimed to spread awareness of neurological disorders and to promote knowledge of treatment and healthy lifestyle choices that can help lower the risks of developing these diseases. The event featured free health checks, blood glucose and cholesterol measurements, and educational talks by medical professionals. 3D brain model demonstrations and informative presentations about the nervous system were also included. The occasion played an important role in enhancing health awareness, encouraging participants to make healthier lifestyle choices so as to mitigate the risks associated with neurological disorders.
Fostering global dialogue on mental health
In June 2025, CUHK hosted Hong Kong’s first International Mindfulness Conference in the Asia-Pacific region. With the theme ‘Cultivating Collective Well-being: Mindfulness and Contemplative Practices for an Interconnected World’, the event attracted over 300 experts, scholars, healthcare professionals, educators and mindfulness enthusiasts from 28 countries and regions. It featured a diverse range of presentations, panel discussions and workshops covering topics such as health and well-being, education and lifespan development, social justice and equality, the environment and sustainability, and peace and conflict resolution. The conference provided a global platform for in-depth cross-sectoral exchange and collaboration. It focused on innovative applications of mindfulness to address contemporary mental health challenges and advance holistic well-being for individuals, families, and communities.
