NetDragon and HKUST Launch Medical Technology Professorship

NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited, a global leader in building internet communities, has supported The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) in establishing the 'NetDragon Professorship in Medical Technology'. The initiative aims to strengthen interdisciplinary research that combines engineering and medicine, driving scientific breakthroughs in healthcare and public health while reinforcing HKUST’s leadership in cross-disciplinary innovation.

The professorship will be conferred upon a distinguished scholar from the School of Engineering in recognition of exceptional contributions to the field. It will support ongoing academic and research work at the intersection of technology and medicine. The signing ceremony took place on the HKUST campus and was witnessed by Prof. Nancy Ip, President of HKUST, and Dr. Liu Dejian, Chairman and Executive Director of NetDragon. The agreement was signed by Prof. Charles Ng, Vice-President for Institutional Advancement of HKUST, and Dr. Simon Leung, Vice Chairman and Executive Director of NetDragon.

President Ip expressed strong appreciation for the partnership. “The convergence of medicine, engineering, and data science is creating unprecedented opportunities for innovation in healthcare and medical science. This vision is also a key impetus behind the establishment of the HKUST School of Medicine. By integrating the cutting-edge technologies of the School of Engineering with the clinical expertise of the School of Medicine, we aim to build a vibrant ecosystem for interdisciplinary innovation. This will further solidify HKUST’s position as a global leader in interdisciplinary research.”

Dr. Liu endorsed HKUST’s strategic direction and outlined NetDragon’s broader commitment. “NetDragon has long been committed to integrating education and technology. From digital entertainment and online learning to immersive technologies, artificial intelligence, and AI-enabled education, we believe that technology can break down barriers, make knowledge more accessible, and empower individuals to realize their full potential. Today, AI is transforming the way we learn, work, and interact with the world. NetDragon is actively harnessing AI to improve people’s lives and create new sources of value and growth.”

He also highlighted the role of NetDragon’s subsidiary Cherrypicks in Hong Kong’s health-tech sector. Cherrypicks has contributed to major public healthcare platforms including HA Go and eHealth, as well as healthcare workflow management systems such as the Ward Work Management System. The company has extended its smart healthcare solutions to leading private institutions, supporting the digital transformation of Hong Kong’s healthcare ecosystem. Through the new professorship, NetDragon aims to support outstanding scholars, advance frontier research, and accelerate the translation of research breakthroughs into real-world applications that benefit patients and society.

The establishment of the NetDragon Professorship in Medical Technology reflects a shared vision to advance innovative research. HKUST expects the partnership to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and accelerate progress in areas such as precision medicine and digital health. By leveraging the university’s research strengths, the initiative seeks to drive advancements in medical technology and translate discoveries into practical applications.

NetDragon, listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (Stock Code: 777), has a long history of developing and scaling internet and mobile platforms. Founded in 1999, the company is known for its digital entertainment intellectual property and has expanded successfully into education technology. Its overseas edtech subsidiary, Mynd.ai, is a global leader in interactive technology, with solutions used in more than two million learning and training spaces across 126 countries. Fully embracing the AI era, NetDragon is pursuing a vision of “Infinite Growth” through AI-enabled digital entertainment and online learning.

HKUST is a world-class research university recognised for innovative education, research excellence and knowledge transfer. It ranked 33rd globally and 6th in Asia in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and QS Asia University Rankings 2026. The university placed 20th worldwide in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2026, ranking first among universities in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland for the third consecutive year.

Eleven of its subjects featured among the world’s top 50 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026. Its Computer Science discipline, which includes artificial intelligence and machine learning, has ranked first in Hong Kong for ten consecutive years in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2026.

In research and entrepreneurship, more than 80 percent of HKUST’s research was rated “world-leading” or “internationally excellent” in the University Grants Committee’s Research Assessment Exercise 2020. As of July 2026, HKUST members had founded more than 2,000 active start-ups, including 11 unicorns and 22 successful exits through IPOs or mergers and acquisitions.

Also Read: HKUST and Guangzhou Government Sign Deal to Boost Innovation

The new professorship represents more than a named academic post. It signals a deeper alignment between a technology company with strong capabilities in AI and digital platforms and a university committed to integrating engineering excellence with emerging medical education and research. By supporting a leading scholar and fostering collaboration between the School of Engineering and the School of Medicine, the partnership aims to create an environment where technological innovation can more readily address clinical and public health challenges.

As healthcare systems increasingly rely on data science, artificial intelligence and advanced engineering solutions, interdisciplinary platforms of this kind become critical. The NetDragon Professorship in Medical Technology is positioned to contribute to that evolution by supporting research excellence and accelerating the movement of discoveries from laboratory to real-world application. Both organisations view the agreement as the foundation for a longer-term partnership focused on meaningful impact in medical technology and public health.