The University started teaching and research in Chinese medicine (CM) as well as the provision of CM clinical services in 1997. In October 1999, the School of Chinese Medicine was formally established. It is a full-fledged school that comprises the Teaching and Research Division, the Technology Development Division, the Clinical Division and the Division of Continuing and Professional Education.

Teaching and Research Division (CMTR) is a core division of the School. It offers two full-time undergraduate programmes, namely Bachelor of Chinese Medicine and Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Biomedical Science (BCM double-degree programme), and Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) in Chinese Medicine (BPharm programme).

The first of its kind in Hong Kong, the BCM double-degree programme is a six-year programme which aims to nurture CM practitioners with the ability to utilize modern technology in conjunction with CM on a scientific basis for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases. The new generation of CM graduates would have adequate knowledge to pursue higher degrees in science and medical disciplines. Graduates of this programme may find their careers in medical practice, research or academics related to CM.

BPharm programme is the only one of its kind funded by the University Grants Committee in Hong Kong. The programme aims to nurture graduates with knowledge and skills in the identification, formulation, pharmacology and new product development of Chinese medicines, and well-versed in the regulations of pharmaceutical management in Hong Kong and international trade of Chinese medicines.

Besides, it also offers full-time and part-time postgraduate programmes leading to MPhil and PhD degrees. Students can select areas of study and research based on their interests. The main part of the MPhil and PhD programmes involves conducting independent research in both applied and basic Chinese medicine and pharmacy in Chinese medicine. Students are expected to present and defend a thesis towards the end of the programme.

In terms of research, our faculty members are engaged in theme-based cutting-edge research, in particular in basic/translational/clinical research in bone and joint diseases, tumor diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, neurodegenerative diseases and Chinese medicines authentication. For basic research, it aims at understanding the complexity of diseases and conducting evidence-based research to construct the molecular network participating in pathophysiology and establish prototypes based on “holism of CM features” for the continuous development of CM as a modern science towards drug discovery. For translational research, it strategically integrates the expertise of scientists from different research background, including bioinformatics, data mining, computational chemistry, molecular biology, disease modelling, synthetic chemistry and pharmaceutics, to bridge the gap between basic research and clinical application. As for clinical research, it stresses the design, measurement and evaluation of clinical cases with CM medication and methodologies.

The Division of Continuing and Professional Education (DCPE) offers a variety of part-time programmes, including the Master of Chinese Medicine programme, Master of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Chinese Medicine programme and a number of professional programmes at degree, professional diploma, diploma and certificate levels. A wide range of registration examination preparatory programmes are also offered to meet the needs arising from the registration requirements for CM practitioners in Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong Baptist University boasts a total of 15 CM clinics throughout the territory, with eight of them operated by the Clinical Division (CLNC). The other clinics are established in collaboration with the Pok Oi Hospital, Yan Chai Hospital, Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, and the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions.

In addition to providing first-rate outpatient services, the team of renowned CM practitioners of CLNC provide clinical training for students of the BCM double-degree programme and other part-time programmes. They also conduct top-notch clinical research and regularly release clinical study reports, which do not only expound the efficacy of CM by way of evidence-based medicine but also enable the public to have a better understanding of CM.

The Technology Development Division (TDD) is responsible for developing and promoting the School’s technology. It serves as the link between the School and the industry and other external organizations in terms of knowledge transfer. Through its knowledge transfer endeavours, it fosters the modernization of the CM industry and advancement of CM as a modern science. With its ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory, the School helps the industry to identify the genuineness and evaluate the quality of herbal medicines. Through its scientific research in systematic standardization and stringent quality assurance of CM, the School plays a major role in the standardization and internationalization of CM.

The School is housed in a nine-storied Hong Kong Jockey Club School of Chinese Medicine Building. Equipped with a broad range of state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, the Building enables the School to (1) provide quality CM teaching and training in a modern and scientific setting, (2) conduct sophisticated and advanced research, and (3) render professional consultancy services to the industry and foster modernization of CM. The major equipment includes a Digital Scientific Radiography System, an ETD Ion-trap Mass Spectrometer, a Flow Cytometry System, a Gas Chromatograph with Electron Capture Detector and Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer, a Hard Tissue Cutting and Grinding System, an Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer, a Laser Microdissection System, a MALDI-TOF/TOF System, a MicroCT, a Personal Imaging System, two Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometers with UHPLC, a Small Animal Imaging System, a Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer with UHPLC, etc. They are housed in various laboratories of the School including the Acupuncture & Neurophysiology Laboratory, Imaging Laboratory, the Natural Products Chemistry and Analysis Laboratory, the Pharmacology/Toxicology/Molecular Biology Laboratory, the Proteomic Laboratory for System Biology Research and the Quality Research Laboratory.