Since the promulgation of the Strategic Plan 2016-2025 which sets out the decade-long road map of the University (“Plan”), we have been reviewing the implementation progress of the Plan at regular intervals. Following a thorough review this year, I am pleased to report that most of the targets set in the Plan have been accomplished or are making good progress. Hereinbelow are some of the achievement highlights.
The University remained steadfast to its unique mission of nurturing outstanding, forward-looking, and morally responsible educators and professionals. I am delighted that we have diversified programmes offerings at different levels, while expanding our scope of research with impressive progress in knowledge transfer and application.
In line with the University’s “Education-plus” approach, we launched a broad spectrum of multidisciplinary undergraduate programmes during the 2022-25 triennium, covering artificial intelligence and educational technology, sports science and coaching, heritage education and arts management, as well as integrated environmental management and other emerging areas, with enhanced support and resources for students, ranging from academic advising, career development, language enhancement to internship experience.
The University also enriched its academic programmes by developing new courses and teaching contents, such as positive and values education, the Basic Law and national security education. Furthermore, a new talent development programme will be rolled out to equip students with entrepreneurial mindset and skills.
Our overall research capacity has also seen significant growth, in terms of funding, quality of output and research impact. We made great strides in the latest Research Assessment Exercise conducted by the University Grants Council, with 63% of the University’s overall profile in Education judged as “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”. Under the new “Research Impact” category, 80% of our education research was assessed as “Outstanding Impacts”. In addition, the University came first, in three consecutive years, in the subject field of Education in the General Research Fund Exercise, and also excelled in psychology and linguistics in the Early Career Scheme.
Internationally, a number of our scholars were among the Top 2% Most-cited scientists in a list compiled by Stanford University. Their research covered education, environmental sciences, mathematics, science and social sciences. For eight consecutive years, the University has been ranked among the top three in Asia and top 20 in the world in education, according to the QS Rankings.
Regarding knowledge transfer, our effort in promoting educational innovation paid off, with over 70 prestigious international innovation awards garnered during the period. We have forged partnerships, in the form of student exchange, joint programme offerings, internships and research collaborations, with over 200 universities and institutions around the world. The University also took part in another World Bank-funded project in support of higher education capacity building in Cambodia, after the completion of a similar project in Vietnam in 2017.
Locally, the University has been playing a proactive role in supporting the school sector and bridging the learning gaps arising from the prolonged pandemic, through knowledge-based solutions. In addition to the provision of professional development programmes for in-service teachers, we developed innovative online teaching resources and materials, such as animated video series on different subjects, as well as online classes and workshops for children with special educational needs, as well as the elderly.
On campus infrastructure, we have started constructing a new Academic Building, the first major capital project since the inauguration of the Tai Po campus in 1997. Upon completion in 2025, the new Academic Building will provide a net operating floor area of 7,600m2 to support interactive teaching and learning, research, knowledge transfer, as well as scholarly activities, especially in the context of STEAM and AI education. This year, a new study centre on Hong Kong Island will be open, adding an additional 1,700m2 of space for the University’s operation.
All these achievements could not have been possible without the concerted efforts and hard work of the entire University community. Going forward, we shall continue to build on our strengths and work closely with all stakeholders to scale new heights.
Professor Stephen Cheung Yan-leung, SBS, JP
Officier dans I’Ordre des Palmes Académiques
President