Dean’s Message
Inheriting the medical and educational mission initiated in 1871 by Canadian missionary George Leslie MacKay (Dr. George Leslie MacKay), our institution has journeyed from its early planning stages to the official enrollment of its first class in 2009, through departmental expansion, research advancement, and accreditation recognition, and most recently into a new milestone in 2025 with the elevation to MacKay Medical University. I consider it a profound privilege to have participated fully in this chapter of our institution’s history. It is not only the growth of a medical school that I have witnessed, but also the embodiment of the MacKay spirit—“burning yet not consumed” and a steadfast commitment to holistic medical care. In an era marked by both transformation and challenge, we must move forward with clearer core values and firmer direction to guide the College steadily into the future.
I firmly believe that the “core philosophy of service” determines the “ultimate outcomes of education”. The most important stakeholder of a medical college is its students. Only by genuinely viewing education from the students’ perspective and building an environment grounded in the principle that “The needs of the student come first” can we cultivate healthcare professionals who combine professional excellence with humanistic warmth. Accordingly, the College has established overarching educational objectives and core competencies at the college level, emphasizing holistic care, interdisciplinary integration, lifelong and self-directed learning, environmental sustainability, and global engagement as guiding principles for curriculum design and talent development across departments and institutes. What we pursue is not merely the advancement of knowledge and technical skills, but also the formation of inner values and professional identity.
Looking ahead, building upon the foundation of three departments and two graduate institutes, the College will further strengthen interdisciplinary programs and specialty tracks, promote literacy in artificial intelligence and innovation, enhance international benchmark collaborations, and foster a hidden curriculum that advances holistic care and environmental sustainability. Through these initiatives, we aim to nurture a new generation of medical professionals who possess both professional competence and a strong sense of social responsibility. At the same time, we will integrate faculty and administrative resources, optimize governance efficiency, and construct diversified learning pathways to support students’ development, including innovative structures such as Gap Year opportunities and integrated bachelor–master programs.
The history of MacKay’s College of Medicine is a journey woven from conviction and action; its future depends on the shared commitment of faculty and students working together. In this institution founded in the name of the Lord, I hope we may, with humility, passion, and resilience, become that flame which burns yet is not consumed—igniting in every student a love for the medical profession and a mission of compassionate service to humanities. Let us join hands to innovate upon the foundation of our history and to pursue excellence upon the foundation of faith, making MacKay’s College of Medicine a model for advancing sustainable health and holistic medical education in society.
