PolyU and HKSH Medical Group forge strategic collaboration to cultivate new generation of dietetic professionals, providing clinical placements for master’s students in dietetics

In response to the growing demand amid Hong Kong’s rapidly ageing population for healthcare professionals such as dietitians, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has launched the Master of Science (MSc) in Dietetics programme in the 2025/26 academic year to nurture a new generation of dietetic professionals. PolyU today signed a collaborative agreement with HKSH Medical Group to provide clinical placement opportunities for students of the programme. This collaboration marks a significant step for both parties in nurturing dietetic professionals equipped with both specialised expertise and practical experience for the local healthcare, food industry, research, education and public health sectors, benefiting the community.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Prof. Daniel SHEK, PolyU Associate Vice President (Undergraduate Programme); Prof. WONG Man-kin, Associate Dean of the PolyU Faculty of Science; Dr Joseph CHAN, Chief Medical Officer of HKSH Medical Group, Deputy Medical Superintendent of Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital, and Director of HKSH Institute for Innovation and Professional Development; and Dr CHOW Shew Ping, Deputy Medical Superintendent of Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital. The agreement was signed by Prof. CHEN Sheng, Head of the PolyU Department of Food Science and Nutrition, and Dr Walton LI, Chief Executive Officer of HKSH Medical Group and Medical Superintendent of Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital.

Prof. Daniel Shek remarked, “PolyU is committed to nurturing professional talents, and continues to enhance its curriculum to best meet the needs of society and the industry. As the first local university to offer a MSc in Dietetics, PolyU pledges to provide students with diverse placement experiences. This close collaboration brings together PolyU’s academic excellence and HKSH’s clinical expertise to further optimise the programme design, setting a new benchmark for nutrition education in Hong Kong.”

Dr Walton Li stated, “HKSH and PolyU have jointly offered Hong Kong’s first Master of Nursing programme since 2008, providing theoretical teaching and clinical placement opportunities. Today, the collaboration between HKSH and PolyU will extend to the allied health field of dietetics, offering clinical placements for the first local MSc in Dietetics programme. This marks a more comprehensive step forward in our joint efforts to promote the development of healthcare professionals and cultivate a new generation of outstanding dietetic talents for the continuous enhancement of healthcare services.”

Dr Joseph Chan said, “HKSH endeavours to apply numerous advanced technologies in clinical practice, which requires substantial research work and talent training as support. With HKSH Institute for Innovation and Professional Development being one of the training hubs for local medical talents, we believe that this collaboration with PolyU can provide dietetics students with a unique platform for practice and research, helping them master cutting-edge knowledge and skills, and making substantial contributions to the long-term development of the nutrition profession in Hong Kong.”

Beginning in the 2026/27 academic year, HKSH will offer students from the PolyU MSc in Dietetics programme exceptional hands-on professional training opportunities in a leading private clinical setting. Through structured clinical placements at HKSH, students will be able to apply their academic knowledge. Direct mentorship from experienced dietitians at HKSH will provide invaluable guided exposure to advanced dietetic practice. This will include participating in nutrition screening and consultations for inpatients and outpatients, allergy testing, health assessment, and in the provision of personalised nutritional advice before and after treatment for patients undergoing various cancer therapies, further honing their professional competence. In addition, registered dietitians from HKSH will serve as mentors for students completing their capstone projects, and provide guidance in research and clinical audit to help lay a solid foundation for students to pursue careers in the local medical and healthcare industry.

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