5 4 The French scientist Louis Pasteur famously advised that “chance favours the prepared mind”. Since I arrived in 2018, my goal has been to prepare HKU for world-class excellence by recruiting the best scholars and elevating our facilities and programmes accordingly. As evidence of our progress, HKU had a record 53 researchers named in Clarivate’s prestigious 2024 Highly Cited Researchers list, our highest number ever, accounting for 40% of the total number of Highly Cited Researchers in Hong Kong and helping Hong Kong maintain its position among the top 10 regions and countries globally for the total number of Highly Cited Researchers. Our strength of talent has undoubtedly also contributed to HKU’s rise in global rankings of institutions and our ability to attract top students, which we have enhanced with robust value-added support across teaching, research and innovation. All of this excellence has placed the University in a fantastic position to grasp the opportunities arising across society as technology shifts economic and future workforce needs, geopolitical developments create both uncertainties and openings, and the government prioritises investment in research and education to strengthen Hong Kong’s future prospects. HKU is now well-placed to contribute innovative solutions and discoveries that will advance Hong Kong and the nation. These opportunities are not without challenges, of course. The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has been highly disruptive across society and education is an area where the upheaval may turn out to be enormous. But here, too, the University has focussed on preparing for a future that is uncertain but full of promise. MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT AND VICE-CHANCELLOR AHEAD OF THE CURVE A major focus of that preparation is our students. We are committed to ensuring all students are AI-ready and future-ready. Over the past couple of years, our teachers have worked very hard to create programmes that will equip all students, whatever their disciplines, with comprehensive AI knowledge and skills. Starting from September 2025, a compulsory basic AI skills course will be introduced for all incoming undergraduate students. They will also be required to take at least one course under the Common Core that considers the implications of AI. Programmes focussed on data science and innovation are also being rolled out through two new interdisciplinary schools: the School of Computing and Data Science, which will offer new market-driven programmes in fields such as AI, statistics and data science, and the School of Innovation, or I-School, which will offer a new project-based Bachelor of Science in Innovation and Technology programme. Moreover, the Faculties of Arts and Engineering have unveiled eight new programmes for 2025 that prominently feature AI and data science. Having said that, we also recognise that students need more than technology-focussed content to thrive in future. Our teachers have been innovating learning experiences to challenge and inspire students’ personal and intellectual development. Their efforts received external honours in 2023–24 in the international QS Reimagine Education Awards and the University Grants Committee’s Teaching Award. We also continue to enhance the campus experience for students by building more hostels to ensure both local and non-local students have at least one year of enriching hall experience. HKU ANNUAL REPORT 2024 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT AND VICE-CHANCELLOR
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