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 have tried to expand our list of signed countries to include more of the Asia-Pacific countries including Indonesia and Malaysia on top of more familiar countries such as Brazil and Poland. Since the contracts are bilateral, we will be sending our clinical year students to those countries we signed as well as welcoming incoming students from those countries to attach to Queen Mary and Prince of Wales hospital. This year, we hosted 8 incomings from various countries with social activities planned for them.

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. Three outgoing students from Hong Kong have participated in the program, traveling to different countries Czech Republic, Mexico, and Romania 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 two incoming student from overseas countries, 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 Thailand x Hong Kong

The Thailand-Hong Kong medical exchange program offers an immersive experience that blends cultural exploration with academic enrichment. Delegates will explore Hong Kong's vibrant contrasts—from the bustling streets of Mong Kok to the luxury of Central—and gain historical insights through visits to Tai Kwun and local museums. A culturally rich opening ceremony themed around Chinese medicine, paired with authentic local cuisine, sets the stage for deeper engagement. On the academic front, the program fosters empathy through immersive experiences like "Dialogue in the Dark," followed by expert-led sessions on AI in medical education and collaborative research, particularly in disease trends relevant to Thailand. Visits to CUHK and the Medical History Museum highlight Hong Kong’s innovation and resilience in healthcare. Beyond academics, the program emphasizes friendship through iconic excursions to Disneyland, Lamma Island, Victoria Peak, and the vibrant nightlife of Lan Kwai Fong. Unique social activities like cat cafés and photo-booth sessions ensure lasting bonds. AMSA-HK members accompany delegates daily, strengthening connections through shared meals and experiences. The exchange concludes with a heartfelt farewell featuring handwritten letters and a commemorative video, ensuring that the friendships and memories formed will last a lifetime.

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.

Exchanges