In October 2024, the Government of the HKSAR launched the ‘Study in Hong Kong’ campaign to entice more students from around the world to enrol in local universities. With that came a doubling in the quota of non-local students that local universities could admit – jumping to up to 40 per cent on top of existing enrolments. The initiative was widely welcomed because of the potential to enrich campus life and deepen Hong Kong’s connections with the rest of the world. But it also brought some challenges over and above providing more classes and accommodation. While HKU’s Senior Management Team is overseeing a building programme to expand capacity, student services and engagement activities also need to be ramped up. Leading that effort is the new Dean of Student Affairs who heads the Centre of Development and Resources for Students (CEDARS), Professor Kelvin Yeung Wai-kwok, who is also Ng Chun-Man Professor in Orthopaedic Bioengineering. One of Professor Yeung’s first priorities is to give input on the needs of a more diverse student population. In the traditional residential halls, for instance, there is no space for prayer rooms and insufficient facilities for the disabled. He would like to help change that. “One of my missions is to advance the student halls, now that we have more international students from all over the world. We are currently unable to accommodate these special requests, but we hope to make efforts in the future to address this, while continuing to meet the needs of local students,” he said. He and his team are also adapting CEDARS’ counselling, career guidance and social services to meet the changing needs of the student body, guided by the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). “DEI is about the core values of being human. It is not something extreme,” he said. The University’s growing and increasingly diverse student population means the new Dean of Student Affairs, Professor Kelvin Yeung Wai-kwok, has his work cut out for him in meeting their needs. He is guided by a deep commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Students’ Advocate ‘HKU’ character He also wants to promote community service among students and help them realise that whatever their backgrounds, they are privileged to be students at HKU. That does not mean they should feel superior, though. “I would like our students to develop an ‘HKU’ character that is confident and humble, sympathetic and empathetic to others, and contributes to the community in a caring way,” he said. The caring goes both ways. Students face a lot of stress, and CEDARS is trying to help with both counselling and social activities that encourage them to engage in person – something Professor Yeung believes is essential in the digital age. As Associate Dean, he launched the GLOCAL Connect programme that bridges non-local and local students in meaningful ways. Finally, he hopes HKU graduates, both local and nonlocal, will consider staying in Hong Kong and even joining HKU, including CEDARS. “I hope they really love this University and can help make it even better,” he said. Being inclusive Professor Yeung demonstrated his deep commitment to DEI as deputy warden of Lap-Chee College. About 10 years ago, he nominated the first transgender person to be a tutor in one of HKU’s residential spaces for students, impressed by the candidate’s rapport with students and leadership skills. “If someone has the abilities, why not hire them? I really believe we should be inclusive,” he said. His background and experiences have influenced this perspective. He grew up in a public housing estate in Shek Kip Mei and was raised by his grandmother while his parents worked long hours. After higher education at the City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) and HKU, he became primarily based at HKU (apart from a period at CityUHK from 2007 to 2009), where he has developed a notable record in biomaterials research, including being listed among the Highly Cited Researchers globally in Clarivate Analytics’ Essential Science Indicators. But he was not only focussed on research success. Throughout his career, Professor Yeung has committed himself to student welfare. Around 2001, he became a tutor at Starr Hall. After returning to HKU, he was invited to be deputy master at the new Lap-Chee College. And in 2021 he became warden of Simon KY Lee Hall. Two years ago, he was appointed Associate Dean of Student Affairs. Professor Yeung happily recalls all the support he has received along the way from mentors and senior professors, who encouraged him to follow his heart and gave him flexibility in balancing his academic and research demands with his service to students. “I feel great gratitude to the University so whenever it asks, I will do my best to help, especially with students,” he said. “I believe that we should help our students to become better than us, otherwise we fail.” Professor Yeung (second from left, front row) at the CEDARS High Table Dinner 2025, held as part of the induction activities for first-year undergraduate students. HKU Bulletin | Nov 2025 People 48 49 Professor Kelvin Yeung Wai-kwok I would like our students to develop an ‘HKU’ character that is confident and humble, sympathetic and empathetic to others, and contributes to the community in a caring way.
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