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 signed a collaborative agreement with HKSH Medical Group on 2 February 2026 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.

For other press releases and news on this partnership, see the links below:

理大與養和醫療集團攜手培育香港新一代營養專才為營養治療理學碩士課程學生提供實習機會

隨著本港人口老化加劇，對營養師等醫療保健專業人員的需求持續上升。為回應社會需求，香港理工大學（理大）於2025／26學年開辦營養治療理學碩士課程，致力培養新一代營養專才，投身醫療保健、食品工業及公共衞生等不同領域。理大與養和醫療集團（養和）於2026年2月2日簽署合作協議，為有關課程學生提供臨床實習機會。這次合作標誌著雙方在培育營養專才方面邁出重要一步，攜手為本地醫療、食品業界、科研、教育及公共衞生等領域培養兼具專業知識與實踐經驗的營養人才，造福社會。

在理大協理副校長（本科生課程）石丹理教授和理學院副院長黃文健教授，以及養和醫療集團首席醫療總監、養和醫院副院長暨養和創新及專業培訓學院院長陳煥堂醫生和養和醫院副院長周肇平醫生見證下，由理大食品科學及營養學系系主任陳聲教授及養和醫療集團行政總裁暨養和醫院院長李維達醫生代表雙方簽署合作協議。

石丹理教授表示：「理大一直致力於人才培育，持續優化課程以回應社會及業界需求。作為首間開辦營養治療理學碩士課程的本地大學，理大將為學生提供多元化的臨床實習機會。我們將與養和緊密合作，結合理大卓越的學術水平及養和的臨床專長，優化課程設計，為本地營養學教育樹立新標竿。」

李維達醫生表示：「養和與理大自2008年合辦全港首個護理學碩士課程，提供理論授課及臨床實習的機會。今天，養和與理大的合作將擴展至營養治療這專職醫療領域，為首個本地營養治療理學碩士課程提供臨床實習，標誌著雙方在推動醫療專業人才建設上，邁出更全面的一步，共同培育新一代的優秀營養人才，持續提升醫療保健服務的質量。」

陳煥堂醫生表示：「養和持續於臨床應用多項領先技術，背後需要大量的研究工作與人才培訓作支撐，而養和創新及專業培訓學院作為本港醫療人才的培訓基地之一，我們深信通過是次與理大的合作，能為營養治療專業的學生提供一個獨特的實踐與科研平台，助力他們掌握行業最前沿的知識與技能，為香港營養專業的長遠發展作出實質貢獻。」

由2026／27學年起，養和將為理大營養治療理學碩士課程學生提供私營環境下的專業實踐培訓。學生將於養和參與有系統的臨床實習，把學術知識轉化為臨床實踐。在養和營養部資深營養師指導下，學生將獲得寶貴的高階營養治療及服務經驗，例如參與住院及門診病人營養篩查與諮詢、過敏病科測試、體檢計劃，及為接受各類癌症治療的患者提供治療前後的個人化營養建議等，進一步提升專業能力。此外，養和註冊營養師亦有機會擔當碩士學生畢業專案的導師，就研究與臨床審核等多個範疇提供指導，為學生投身本地醫療及健康行業奠定堅實基礎。

歡迎透過以下連結觀看有關此合作的傳媒報導：

【理大: https://polyu.me/3LQainv】

【香港新聞社: https://polyu.me/4azWOEP】

【癌症資訊網: https://www.facebook.com/100046779684657/posts/1589800265922614/?rdid=Vl1ne0UmHiWuSjmN#】