OUR MISSION

The Standing Committee on Exchange (SCOE) was founded in 2004. Throughout the years, we have provided exchange opportunities for both local and overseas medical students. Our worldwide exchange opportunities comprise of cultural, academic and social programs as well as clinical exposure. Multiple exchanges are organized every year and are facilitated through 3 main networks: the Standing Committee on Professional Exchange (SCOPE), the Standing Committee on Research Exchange (SCORE) and the Asian Medical Students’ Exchange Program (AMSEP).

Projects

AMSEP

In recent years AMSAHK have held multiple exchanges every year with countries such as Australia, UK, Singapore and Taiwan.

SCOPE Standing Committee on Professional Exchange

Run by the International Federation of Medical Students Association (IFMSA), the Standing Committee on Professional Exchange (SCOPE) is one of the largest student-run exchange programs in the world, and is a four-week bilateral exchange programme which allows students to complete a clinical attachment at an overseas destination of their choice. Participants are given the opportunity to interact with medical students from all around the world, and to broaden their understanding of global health issues. ‍‍‍‍‍‍

This year we signed contracts for the next tenure (2023-24) with Indonesia, South Korea, Brazil, Czech and Republic, landing a total of 10 placements for students to go on clinical exchange. We have also welcomed an incoming exchange student from Lithuania (along with a SCORE student from Belgium) this July, and arranged various Social Programs for them to enjoy the full experience of living in Hong Kong.

A Pre-Departure Training was held for our outgoing students to enhance their medical knowledge and skills, learn about some of the most challenging global health challenges, as well as receiving training on how to deal with personal and professional challenges which they may encounter during their exchange.

SCORE Standing Committee on Research Exchange

The IFMSA (International Federation of Medical Students' Associations) programme SCORE (Standing Committee on Research Exchange) is a student-run exchange program that provides medical students with the opportunity to conduct research internships abroad. The program is designed to promote cultural understanding, academic collaboration and professional development among medical students.

Hong Kong's involvement in the SCORE program began in the previous year and has been quite successful. Ten outgoing students from Hong Kong have participated in the program, traveling to different countries to conduct research internships. These students have gained valuable experience working in diverse research environments and have had the opportunity to learn about different cultures and medical practices. Additionally, Hong Kong has also hosted one outgoing student from another country, providing them with an opportunity to conduct research in Hong Kong and experience the local medical culture.

Overall, Hong Kong's participation in the SCORE program has been a positive experience for both the outgoing students and the local medical community. It has provided students with unique learning opportunities, allowed them to make valuable connections with other medical students from around the world, and helped to promote cross-cultural understanding and collaboration in the medical field.

Past Exchanges

AMSEP Virtual Exchange Scotland x Hong Kong

The online exchange between Hong Kong and Scottish students was a unique opportunity for both groups to learn about each other's culture and way of life. The exchange included a variety of activities designed to promote cultural understanding and appreciation.

To help break the ice and encourage interaction between the students, the exchange started with a ‘speed dating’ activity that consisted of a series of questions aimed at sparking meaningful conversations. This activity helped to build a closer relationship between the two groups and laid the foundation for the remaining exchange days. The lip read challenge, which involved using special Scottish and Cantonese slang terms to test the students' lip reading skills, was a fun and engaging activity that helped to break down language barriers and encourage communication between the students. We were also introduced to the history and development of Scottish culture through an informative presentation given by the local Scottish medical students. Students also participated in a sign language workshop hosted by SLCO Community Resources Limited, which allowed them to grasp the basics of sign language and learn about how sign language is used to overcome the many challenges faced by the deaf community. The exchange also featured a talk by executive committee members on traditional Chinese medicine, which gave the Scottish students a fascinating insight into this ancient practice. The talk covered the history, philosophy, and principles of traditional Chinese medicine, as well as its use in modern healthcare.

Finally, the exchange concluded with a virtual tour of Hong Kong using a combination of pre-recorded footage and live commentary. The tour showcased the city's unique culture, landmarks, and attractions, and allowed the Scottish students to experience Hong Kong from the comfort of their own homes. Overall, the online exchange was a great success, promoting cultural understanding and appreciation between two very different communities.

AMSEP Physical Exchange Egypt x Hong Kong

We successfully held a long-awaited physical exchange programme after the Covid restrictions had finally been lifted. The Egyptians curated a programme that consisted of activities such as visiting the Al Abbasi Mosque and War Memorial, strolling along the Corniche, watching the sunset over the Mediterranean Sea, and attending a Semsemia Show. We also visited the Great Pyramids and Sphinx; explored the ancient museums and citadels, which provided our students with a deep understanding of Egypt's rich history and cultural heritage. The opportunity to experience local cuisine, music, and art, as well as visit religious complexes and take a Nile boat tour, was also an excellent way for students to learn about the Egyptian way of life. The highlight of our academic programme was the suturing workshop, which gave our students the chance to develop their surgical skills in a safe and controlled environment by practising on chicken legs, providing them with hands-on experience in suturing techniques and allowing them to observe and learn from experienced professionals. Our preclinical students also enjoyed the cardiology lecture, which includes knowledge about how to read an ECG, as they were able to gain a deeper understanding of the cardiovascular system and common cardiac conditions. They also learned useful tips and tricks to interpret an ECG accurately and identify potential cardiac issues effectively.

AMSEP Physical Exchange Indonesia x Hong Kong

Asian Medical Students’ Exchange Program (AMSEP) is a bilateral exchange program that offers pre-clinical students the opportunity to travel to other countries to experience a different medical curriculum as well as to gain a better understanding of alternate healthcare systems. August this year, AMSEP was held between Hong Kong and Indonesia, where medical students from a variety of Indonesian universities came to Hong Kong, providing academic, cultural and social enrichment. Not only did the Indonesian delegates get to experience a variety Hong Kong's excellent culture through sight-seeing of landmarks, they also had to opportunity to grasp the medical education system in Hong Kong through workshops and lectures held by professors from both HKU and CUHK, alongside a tour of the CUHK Medical Centre. Through a 7-day schedule packed with socio-cultural activities such as a visit of Temple Street Night Market, Stanley, Ocean Park, Tai Kwun, Museums and a farewell party, as well as academic activities such as clinical skills workshop, a lecture on Professionalism and Bioethics by Professor Diana Wu, an innovative AI workshop by Professor Christopher See, the Indonesian delegates were delighted to visit and experience Hong Kong first-hand.