Medtech Education in APAC: Keeping Pace with Innovation
As medical devices become smarter and more interconnected through AI, robotics, and virtual reality, the need to train professionals is growing urgently. Asia Pacific (APAC) countries are ramping up medtech education initiatives to position themselves as global powerhouses for medical technology.
The APAC region is home to some of the world’s most ambitious medical technology breakthroughs, from AI-powered diagnostics in China to surgical robotics in Japan and wearable technologies emerging from South Korea. However, behind these advancements lies an urgent challenge: a widening medtech talent gap at the academic level.
Key Initiatives and Trends Across Japan, China, Korea & Taiwan
Countries in the region are carving out novel paths in medtech education through new courses, industry partnerships, and government support. In South Korea, universities like Pohang University of Science and Technology offer specialized courses in robotic surgery, combining theory with hands-on training. Japan is integrating medtech into education through its Society 5.0 vision, focusing on AI, robotics, and data science in medical curricula.
In China, Tsinghua University and Peking University are leading the charge with AI-focused programs tailored to the healthcare sector. The ‘Agent Hospital’, an AI-powered virtual healthcare platform developed by Tsinghua University researchers, is preparing for a public pilot launch in 2025. Hong Kong University of Science and Technology has launched a Digital Health and AI Innovation Lab, partnering with Microsoft to nurture the next generation of medical talent.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health and Welfare are aligning medtech education reforms with the Biomedical Industry Innovation Programme, aiming to make the country a global biomedtech hub by 2030.
South East Asia Addressing Talent Bottleneck
South East Asia faces a potential shortfall of over 150,000 medtech-related professionals by 2030. Singapore is integrating AI-powered diagnostic platforms into medical curricula, while Malaysia is positioning itself as a regional medtech hub through workforce upskilling and public-private partnerships. Vietnam is developing a national medtech incubator in partnership with Korea and Japan, offering embedded training components for students and professionals.
India & Australia Shaping New Tech Skills
India is promoting AI-focused medtech curricula through government initiatives and academia-industry collaborations. The International Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad has launched an online course on ‘AI for Medical Professionals’. Australia is embracing work-integrated learning models, with universities like Melbourne and Sydney introducing new courses combining biomedical engineering with data analytics and AI in healthcare.
Closing the Gap
According to Dr. Marc D. Succi, Associate Chair of Innovation & Commercialisation at Harvard Medical School, medical schools must thoughtfully integrate AI technologies to enhance both education and patient care. As APAC positions itself as the next global hub for medtech innovation, modernizing courses, investing in faculty development, and creating regional medtech academies will be crucial steps in addressing the talent gap and driving innovation.
