As we move forward, new collaboration opportunities are looming on the horizon. For instance, we are excited about the prospects of the proposed Northern Metropolis, which will have a Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park with space for educational institutions. HKUMed is definitely keen to be part of that project. We are also engaging further afield. HKUMed was invited this year to join the World Health Summit Academic Alliance, a prestigious network of 30 academic institutions and groups from around the world who aim to set the agenda for a healthier future and inspire innovations for better health and well-being. HKUMed is the first institution in the GBA invited to join and in October, I attended the World Health Summit 2024 in Berlin. This event brought together not only academics, but also government officials, international organisations, philanthropists, the private sector and others to strengthen exchange, promote debate on global health and stimulate innovative solutions to health challenges. The idea is that together, we build trust, resilience and actionable global health responses to those places that need it most. This is also a great platform to expand the scope of our School of Public Health and facilitate its development. One of the key issues of the World Health Summit is One Health, a topic I am also keen to advance both as Dean of Medicine and in my new role as HKU’s Vice-President & Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health). The One Health approach recognises that all beings share this Earth and calls on us all to optimise the health of people, animals and the planet in a sustainable way. This entails promoting understanding of the co-benefits, risks, trade-offs and opportunities. I believe such an approach to health can not only help to prevent or contain future pandemics, but also build more resilient and equitable systems, environments, economies and societies. As with innovation and technology, it is not something that can be done in silos. We must collaborate and work together. 8
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