CONTENTS 54 56 OFFICERS OF THE UNIVERSITY THE COURT MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT AND VICE-CHANCELLOR HKU on the Rise 2 6 TEACHING AND LEARNING A Place to Grow 16 RESEARCH AND INNOVATION Seeds of Success 30 TECH TRANSFER AND KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE Making a Difference M I S S I ON • To attract, nurture, and inspire future leaders to create knowledge, address global challenges, advance humanity and promote sustainability • To leverage our unique heritage and global position to connect and impact East and West through an extensive network of intellectual hubs • To transform our University by exploiting and exploring artificial intelligence to its fullest V I S I ON A world-leading university transforming humanity’s future 40 51 THE UNIVERSITY PROFILE AN EXTRACT FROM THE UNIVERSITY’S ANNUAL ACCOUNTS 2024–25
3 2 HKU ANNUAL REPORT 2025 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT AND VICE-CHANCELLOR MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT AND VICE-CHANCELLOR HKU ON THE RISE STAYING AHEAD IN THE ‘AI TSUNAMI’ Artificial intelligence (AI) is often likened to a tsunami because it is creating rapid shifts in every corner of society – productivity, healthcare, well-being and of course, education. At the University, we are working to incorporate AI in all aspects of our work, based on models we develop for best practices, while also addressing some of the risks that it poses. This fall, we introduced mandatory AI-related courses for new undergraduate students, who must take micro-credentials on the effective and ethical use of AI and a Common Core course on its broader societal implications. We have also launched a one-year AI training programme open to all staff. INNOVATING FOR SOCIAL GOOD The University’s emphasis on innovation comes from our determination to translate our research into social benefits. HKU has a growing ecosystem on campus to co-ordinate innovation activities and a broad series of programmes to provide seed funding and training to young entrepreneurs. We also established the Techno-Entrepreneurship Academy in Shenzhen, which provides much needed space for new start-ups and training activities. All of this, together with our significant body of patents and scientific findings, have enabled HKU to make important contributions to the success of Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area as an innovation hub. The University achieved exceptional success over the past year, attracting top academics and students, expanding our footprint and impact, and preparing ourselves for the fast-changing landscape of higher education. As our internal efforts to deepen capacity and raise the bar are hitting their mark, even amid rapid technological advances and geopolitical challenges, we are progressing well towards our vision – to be a world-class university with the capabilities to transform humanity’s future. ATTRACTING TOP TALENT Over the past seven years, we have attracted some of the most outstanding academic minds in the world, including Professor Ferenc Krausz, 2023 Nobel Laureate in Physics, who joined us in November 2025. Having brilliant scholars on board has a multiplier effect because it helps attract other first-rate scholars and students to the University. Over the past year, we have recruited about 100 top scholars. Their presence has refreshed and strengthened our academic environment, which has led to more scholarly exchanges, even higher quality students joining us and groundbreaking research. While HKU remains the top choice for local students, there is fierce competition from students around the world to gain entry to the University. Our curriculum contains rich experiences to equip students with both rigorous disciplinary learning and opportunities for personal enrichment and growth, as befit future leaders. We have also been enhancing co-curricular activities to foster students’ sense of belonging – so they feel they are not only enjoying a first-rate education but joining a community of the brightest.
5 4 HKU ANNUAL REPORT 2025 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT AND VICE-CHANCELLOR Our Leadership Professor Xiang ZHANG President and Vice-Chancellor December 2025 Professor Yang WANG Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Institutional Advancement) Professor Vivian YAM Wing-wah Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global Innovation Centre) GROWING OUR FOOTPRINT The expansion of our programmes and staff and student sizes necessitates expansion of our physical space. HKU is actively seeking to grow our footprint. At our Main Campus in Pokfulam, we will soon open the first phase of the new Tech Landmark which, when fully commissioned by the end of next year, will house numerous interdisciplinary institutes aiming at scientific breakthroughs. We also have several ongoing projects in the Pokfulam area to provide more student and staff accommodation, as well as classrooms and amenities. HKU is also developing a physical presence outside of Hong Kong. We are setting up teaching, research and other functional space in Shanghai, including an alumni and event centre in a historic building on the Bund. We are also exploring the possibility of establishing more centres overseas to host conferences, meetings, student exchanges and the like, similar to our centres in Beijing, Shenzhen and Vietnam. These overseas centres will also strengthen HKU’s brand and presence globally, as well as contribute to Hong Kong’s role as a ‘super connector’ between East and West. A VISION FOR THE FUTURE 2025 being a very busy year has not distracted us from contemplating our ambitions and how to achieve them. In October, we unveiled our blueprint for the next decade, Vision for 2026–2035: Leadership for Impact, which builds on the achievements I have described here and provides a framework for advancing our aim of being a world-leading university that can help transform humanity’s future. We have some distinct advantages, including our deep experience bridging East and West, our commitment to excellence in everything we do, and of course our people. It has been very satisfying over these past seven years to put into place the elements that help HKU attract top students and academic talent from around the world. I am assisted by an ever-stronger senior management team, including several key positions confirmed over the past year. Our sights are set high. We are now ranked 11th in the world and first in Asia in 2025 by QS. Such recognitions have reminded and encouraged us to continue building on our strong legacy and committing ourselves wholeheartedly to making ever more new discoveries, developing new innovations and educating new thinkers and leaders for Hong Kong, our Nation and the world. Our newly opened HKU History Gallery highlights our achievements over the past 115 years, with space for more to come. As I look ahead, I am confident that the prospects for HKU’s future as one of the world’s finest education hubs have never looked rosier. Professor Xiang ZHANG President and Vice-Chancellor HKU is proud to celebrate its enduring legacy with the establishment of the HKU History Gallery. Learn more about HKU’s strategic plan for the next decade Professor Richard WONG Yue-chim Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Mrs Cherry TSE LING Kit-ching Executive Vice-President (Administration and Finance) Professor Max Zuojun SHEN Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Wallace LAU Chak-sing Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health) Professor Peng GONG Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic Development) Professor Chen LIN Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Business) Professor Jay Steven SIEGEL Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning) Ms Isabella WONG Yee-sin Chief of Staff
HKU ANNUAL REPORT 2025 TEACHING AND LEARNING 7 6 New initiatives were finalised to equip students with the necessary skills for the digital age and foster qualities that will enable them to lead and thrive. A Place To Grow TEACHING AND LEARNING
HKU ANNUAL REPORT 2025 TEACHING AND LEARNING 9 8 HKU is committed to preparing students for life in the digital age. Over the 2024–25 academic year, we introduced mandatory programmes on how to use AI effectively and ethically and provided students with opportunities to develop the leadership abilities and core human values that are essential to pursuing meaningful, impactful lives. Our approach to AI illustrates both aims. In September 2025, a micro-credential course in AI literacy was launched for all first-year undergraduates, led by the new School of Computing and Data Science (SCDS), on the fundamental concepts and principles of using AI. At the same time, students must take a Common Core course in AI to reflect on how AI is transforming society at all levels, and to consider the ethical, individual and societal implications of such rapid technological change. The Common Core is HKU’s innovative cross-disciplinary programme, bringing students from different disciplines together to explore contemporary issues in five Areas of Inquiry (Scientific and Technological Literacy; Arts and Humanities; Global Issues; China: Culture, State and Society; AI). The new AI Area of Inquiry, comprising over 30 new courses, is the biggest change since the Common Core was launched in 2012. Interdisciplinary learning is also being formalised through the establishment of new interdisciplinary schools, including the SCDS, supported by the Faculties of Engineering and Science; the School of Innovation, offering project-based learning and straddling the Engineering, Architecture, Business and Science Faculties; and the School of Biomedical Engineering, which involves the Medicine, Dentistry, Engineering and Science Faculties. A poster exhibition was held in April 2025 where projects from the new AI literacy course were showcased. A group of HKU international students organised a vibrant cultural carnival on campus. Eleven new interdisciplinary degree programmes launched this year also had a strong element of AI and data science, while the new Delta+ Tech Immersion Fellowship will allow top-performing students admitted to the Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science or Bachelor of Engineering in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science to complete their final year at the new HKU-CDS Shanghai Teaching and Research Site. We also introduced HKU’s first Co-op programme (see page 15), open to students in all faculties, and a four-year Graduate-Entry MBBS for students with a first degree. Alongside formal learning, HKU continues to be a place where bright young people can develop not only their minds but also their character. Co-curricular activities organised through the Centre of Development and Resources for Students (CEDARS), Horizons Office, halls and residential colleges, as well as less formal arrangements, provide students with mentoring, career guidance, life skills such as leadership, and very much more. These activities are often where students make friends with people from other disciplines and cultures and have their most memorable and impactful experiences. The high quality of the HKU learning experience, and our willingness to innovate, were recognised with the QS and Times Higher Education awards in 2024–25 (see page 10). Most importantly, it enables us to attract accomplished students from around the world. In September 2025, HKU admitted the highest number of students ranked in the top 1% of Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE) scorers of any local university. We also benefitted from the ‘Study in Hong Kong’ initiative by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People’s Republic of China, which increased non-local student admissions from 20% to 40% above the local intake from 2024–25 (calculated on a four-year average) and 50% from 2026–27. More than 25,000 students from over 120 countries and regions applied for about 1,600 spots. Many were top performers, helping the University enter the 2025–26 academic year on a high note. 136 MULTI-TALENTED STUDENTS ADMITTED VIA THE SCHOOL NOMINATIONS DIRECT ADMISSION SCHEME 7OUTSTANDING STUDENT-ATHLETES ADMITTED VIA THE TOP ATHLETES DIRECT ADMISSION SCHEME FROM60+ COUNTRIES ADMITTED IN THE 2025 INTAKE LOCAL TOP STUDENTS 3,300+ NON-LOCAL TOP STUDENTS 1,600+ WONG Shun-yat Fencing KWOK Chun-ting Athletics Wesley LEUNG Ching-hang Athletics JIA Wai-yin Athletics Jane Christa Ming Suet KARLSSON Athletics Tiffany MAK Hiu-tung Sailing 134 TOP SCORERS ADMITTED FROM ALL REGIONS PANG Wing-ka Para Table Tennis
HKU ANNUAL REPORT 2025 TEACHING AND LEARNING 11 10 CROSSING DIVIDES A cross-disciplinary project in which students from four countries collaborated on sustainability initiatives was recognised in the QS Reimagine Education Awards 2024 with the Global Silver Award for Sustainability Education Literacy. Students from HKU, Mexico’s Tecnológico de Monterrey, Thailand’s Srinakharinwirot University, and the International Islamic University Malaysia came together in the project ‘Cross-Cultural Classroom: Empowering Future Leaders with Sustainable Citizenship’. They each identified a problem in their home country with reference to the UN Sustainability Development Goals, then worked in cross-country, interdisciplinary teams to create a viable product that would work in all four settings. The results included compact portable water filters, water recycling systems, apps to reduce healthcare inequalities and traffic accidents, and an AI-supported triage system. Dr Tim Yung of the Faculty of Arts and Dr Khong Mei-li of the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine led the HKU team and said the experience enriched everyone involved: “Thinking about sustainability beyond one’s discipline, while empathising with other cultural contexts, is essential for higher education – for both students and educators!” MOST INNOVATIVE TEACHER Mr Samson Wong Ki-sum, an assistant lecturer in the Medical Ethics and Humanities Unit of the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, was the inaugural winner of the ‘Most Innovative Teacher of the Year’ in the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards Asia 2025, for his innovation in grief literacy education. Mr Wong uses an immersive virtual reality game, together with a mini-lecture and two debriefing sessions, to deepen secondyear MBBS students’ understanding of anticipatory grief in family members of dying patients. Mr Wong’s unique pedagogy was published in the journal Medical Education. The THE judges noted that anticipatory grief is a ‘highly important challenge’ in medicine. “The adoption of digitalvisual technology to bring this to the attention of medical students, particularly in the early stage of their education and training, can thus have a long-term positive impact on their professional maturation and readiness,” they said. “[Mr] Wong’s effort deserves recognition for its relevance, innovation and demonstrated effectiveness.” Prior to the THE award, Mr Wong was also a finalist in the 2023 and 2024 QS Reimagine Education Awards for the ‘Nurturing Values and Ethics Award’. AN AI ASSISTANT FOR SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION A new AI-learning innovation is providing social work students with richer opportunities to practise counselling and interview skills and to reflect on their interactions with different kinds of virtual clients. The specially developed AI chatbot overcomes the challenges of traditional simulation-based learning, such as the lack of real client involvement and limited opportunities to practise, by offering complex, lifelike scenarios that students can interact with at any time or place. A pilot version was led by Dr Johnson Cheung Chun-sing in the Department of Social Work and Social Administration in collaboration with Professor Ben Kao and his team at the Tam Wing Fan Innovation Wing, and students from both social work and engineering were also involved. The project is now being expanded over two academic years and will be further fine-tuned and integrated into the curriculum. “This initiative illustrates the transformative potential of GenAI for experiential learning in social work education, and demonstrates how cross-disciplinary partnerships can drive practical innovation, benefitting students, faculty and the wider professional community. The project also reflects HKU’s commitment to pioneering educational practices for social good,” Dr Cheung said. Dr Tim Yung (right) of the Faculty of Arts and Dr Khong Mei-li (left) of the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine. Mr Samson Wong Ki-sum (fourth from left) was honoured as the Most Innovative Teacher of the Year in Asia 2025 by Times Higher Education. The AI chatbot developed by a cross-disciplinary team at HKU provides social work students with richer opportunities to practise counselling and interview skills. Dr Johnson Cheung Chun-sing (second from right), Professor Ben Kao (first from right) and the project team. HKU teachers and projects were recognised internationally in 2024–25 for their innovation and excellence. Innovative Teaching
HKU ANNUAL REPORT 2025 TEACHING AND LEARNING 13 12 WINNING WAYS Jeffrey Chiang Shing-hin has been admitted to the MBBS programme on the back of outstanding achievements in his studies and beyond. He scored full marks (45/45) in the IB and, at the same time, won gold in the 25th Asia Pacific Bridge Federation Youth Championships in May. In November, he represented the Hong Kong bridge team in the 15th National Games and won bronze in the Men’s Youth Team Event. Despite offers from several UK institutions, including Imperial College London, he chose HKU for its commitment to holistic development, including his participation in future bridge competitions, and an early, supportive encounter with the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine. THE SPORTS MEDALLIST Para table tennis player Pang Wing-ka, who won a bronze medal in the Women’s Singles Class 6 Event at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games in 2023, was one of seven athletes admitted this year to HKU via the Top Athletes Direct Admission Scheme. Pang is pursuing a Bachelor of Social Sciences and hopes to combine her studies and sport to promote social inclusion and the rights of people with disabilities. MAKING IT WORK Cheng Wai-chun comes to HKU with experience applying his learning in the community. He was not only head prefect and member of the robotics team at his secondary school, but developed multiple web systems for his school, such as an assignment record checking system and iPad booking system. He has been admitted to the Computing and Data Science programme via the School Nominations Direct Admission Scheme. HKU continues to attract students who not only have strong academic performances but are keen to make their mark in other ways. Cream of the Crop Jeffrey CHIANG Shing-hin Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery João Davi DE MORAIS Bachelor of Arts in Humanities and Digital Technologies PANG Wing-ka Bachelor of Social Sciences CHENG Wai-chun Computing and Data Science On top of its excellent academic reputation, HKU offers me access to worldclass training facilities and flexible study programmes. I’ve received significant assistance from HKU and the Hong Kong Sports Institute and I hope to continue representing Hong Kong in international competitions, including the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles. I was selected for the bridge championships during the most demanding phase of my IB examinations and I wavered on whether to go. Around this time, I attended an HKU event and spoke with Professor Kenny Kwan Yat-hong [of the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology]. He took time to thoroughly evaluate my case and expressed confidence in my ability to manage both responsibilities. This interaction was transformative for me. I chose HKU because I was impressed by the hospitality of HKU students and the equipment in the Innovation Wing when I visited on Info Day. I was also attracted by the flexibility to choose between majoring in data science or computer science in Year 2 of the programme, and the University’s numerous connections in the community. I look forward to joining hackathons and competitions and exploring the opportunities available at HKU. WORLD AMBITIONS João Davi de Morais started classes in September with a short detour to the United Nations’ General Assembly in New York, where he was one of 10 people selected worldwide for Theirworld’s journalism project to showcase his work reporting on the importance and need for more daycare in his home country Brazil. His future hope is to develop tools that can improve access to education and give voice to the underserved and underprivileged. He has enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts in Humanities and Digital Technologies. I was attracted to HKU’s interdisciplinary approach. I really love the freedom to not be restricted to a single area of study but to mix different subjects. I was also excited when I discovered the investments the University has made in technology, such as new labs and the course for first-year students on artificial intelligence. While I’m here, I really want to develop projects intersecting technology and education or communication, that can be used not only in Hong Kong but beyond.
HKU ANNUAL REPORT 2025 TEACHING AND LEARNING 15 14 NEW HORIZONS HKU’s Horizons Office works with community partners to develop experiential learning opportunities for students, both within Hong Kong and beyond. One programme it supports is the Laidlaw Scholars Programme for research and leadership. John Lo, a fourth-year MBBS student, completed the programme in 2025. Over two summers at both HKU and King’s College London, he conducted research on Alzheimer’s disease and machine-learning-based digital blood twins for cancer screening. He presented his initial research on Alzheimer’s disease at the Asia-Pacific Neuroscience Student Congress and the North American Laidlaw Scholars Conference 2024. “It was inspiring to exchange ideas with aspiring peers from around the world. I learned the importance of ethical, collaborative leadership in science and how research can drive tangible change in healthcare,” he said. Zahra Lotfifard, a 2025 Bachelor of Science graduate, joined The Hong Kong Project, a six-credit course on social issues open to high-performing students in their final year. Zahra was placed with Agewhale, which supports families and businesses facing challenges in eldercare, where she and teammates developed materials for two hands-on workshops. “I had done research on ageing before in a scientific context and it was interesting for me to look at it in a social context as well, to bridge the two,” she said, adding she learned much from teammates in social sciences and global health, who offered new perspectives to her. Participating students at the Lead for Life Cohort 2025 Orientation Weekend Launch. MBBS student John Lo (first from left) during his first summer research project at HKU. Zahra Lotfifard at the Poster Session of the HKU Laidlaw Scholars Programme. Bachelor of Economics and Finance student Eason Chow had the internship in the audit and technology advisory units of KPMG. Ashely Li (left) had her placement at CLP Power. CO-OP OPPORTUNITIES The University piloted a Co-op programme in early 2025, ahead of its formal launch in September for students from all faculties (except in their first and final years), that places students in a workplace for six months or more to apply their knowledge and skills, and learn about working life. Students receive precourse preparation from CEDARS, such as interview and career coaching, and support from an HKU teacher throughout their placement. The 18-credit course also requires them to produce reflective journals, an industry report and a final report on their responsibilities and personal growth during the placement. Pilot participant Ashely Li Kwun-lam, a third-year Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering student, was placed with CLP Power and given tasks such as developing a distribution network analysis platform. “Being involved in real engineering projects gave me confidence and made me realise the challenges in adapting to the pace and expectations of working in industry. Before the Co-op, I mainly prioritised job security in large companies, but I now realise that staying curious, learning continuously and having passion and responsibility are much more essential for a meaningful career.” Eason Chow Yee-shun, a fourth-year Bachelor of Economics and Finance student, was placed with accountants KPMG, working in the audit and technology advisory units. She was similarly struck by the differences between the workplace and classroom. “While university provides structured learning, the real world presents complex, ambiguous challenges that require adaptability, communication and critical thinking. This has motivated me to continue seeking opportunities to bridge theory and practice” – an outcome that responds to one of HKU’s Teaching and Learning Educational Aims to enable students to tackle novel situations and ill-defined problems. Students have a variety of opportunities to test their character and develop in different ways, as the following highlights from 2024–25 demonstrate. Enriching Experiences Bibi HARIJAH Bachelor of Economics and Finance Sabrina CHEUNG Bachelor of Social Sciences Learn more about Lead for Life My perception of leadership changed. I had thought only successful and confident people were capable of becoming leaders, but I was encouraged to see there are different leadership styles that exist everywhere. Even as a shy person, I can still become a capable leader in my own style. This allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and embrace my strengths and weaknesses. I want to contribute meaningfully to society while pursuing a fulfilling career in finance. I’ve learned that good leadership starts within. It’s not just about being competent or strategic; it’s about leading with integrity, empathy and purpose. If you want to inspire others, you first need to cultivate the kind of character that earns trust and respect. LEAD FOR LIFE Lead for Life was launched in 2021 to help students develop their character as a foundation for effective leadership, through interactive teaching, engagement with industry mentors and students across faculties, and serving the community. From 2025–26, the programme will be a two-year, six-credit, free elective course based in the Faculty of Arts, in collaboration with CEDARS. Two third-year students, Sabrina Cheung and Bibi Harijah, completed the programme in 2025 and reflected on what they learned. Learn more about the HKU Co-op Programme
17 16 HKU ANNUAL REPORT 2025 RESEARCH AND INNOVATION The University received acclaim for its research and researchers and continued to invest in expanding facilities and developing talent. Seeds Of RESEARCH AND INNOVATION Success
19 18 HKU ANNUAL REPORT 2025 RESEARCH AND INNOVATION (Front row from left) Mr Linlin Ye, Deputy Director of the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission; Professor Max Shen, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) of HKU; and Ms Difang Zhang, Deputy Chief of Pudong New Area, signed a Memorandum of Understanding in July to establish the HKU-CDS Shanghai Teaching and Research Site in Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park. Mr Hejun Yin (right), Minister of Science and Technology, led a delegation on a visit to two State Key Laboratories of HKU. The HKU-CDS Shanghai Teaching and Research Site is located in Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, surrounded by a vibrant ecosystem of technology companies. HKU alumna Dr Luyi Mo, Vice President of Pony.ai, a global leader in autonomous mobility, was invited to give a fireside chat jointly organised by the Graduate School and the Postgraduate Student Association. The soon-to-open Tech Landmark will house at least 10 interdisciplinary institutes. The University’s research excellence and innovation continued to garner strong international recognition in 2024–25, with many of our academics named among the best in their fields and entire disciplines named among the best in Asia and the world. This follows significant investment and effort to attract and develop talent, streamline research services, and expand research facilities to stay ahead of the technology curve. The aim is to solidify our position as a world-class research centre that makes meaningful contributions to science and has enduring impact in local, national and global communities. Talent recruitment is central to that ambition. In 2025, we welcomed around 100 new academics, from rising stars to scholars at the top of their game, from such institutions as Stanford University, University of Chicago and Oxford University. These recruits add to our substantial existing strengths. For instance, 54 HKU scholars were named in Clarivate’s prestigious Highly Cited Researchers 2025 list. Whole disciplines were also recognised in 2025, with Dentistry, Education and Training, Linguistics and Geography placing among the top 10 in the world in the 2025 QS World University Rankings by Subject. The quality of our research and researchers also enabled us to continue to attract significant support from government funding agencies and have the highest number of young scientists awarded in Hong Kong under the 2025 National Natural Science Foundation of China funding exercise, among many other funding successes. HKU was also honoured to have the highest number of State Key Laboratories in Hong Kong. To enable our talent to thrive and excel, the University is expanding our footprint to provide more space for research activities. The first phase of the Tech Landmark is scheduled to open soon, followed by the remaining two phases in 2026. The Tech Landmark will house at least 10 interdisciplinary institutes and significantly raise the profile of interdisciplinary research at the University. Plans for a physical presence in the Chinese Mainland have also been finalised with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a new HKU institute in Shanghai’s Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park that will accommodate computer and engineering research. The MoU was signed in July with the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission and the People’s Government of Shanghai Pudong New Area. Separately, HKU is also participating in the Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trial Institute, bringing our skills in clinical trials to a larger platform. Another supportive initiative has been to strengthen services to help scholars navigate the huge array of options and opportunities for funding, licensing, commercialisation and partnerships. In 2025, a one-stop shop was established under the office of the Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) to connect researchers with the best unit for their needs and smooth the process for funding applications and the translation of research. Finally, the University is deeply committed to nurturing young talent through the Graduate School. We have established a supervisory committee for each research student and refocussed the progress monitoring mechanism. We also offer awards and fellowships to incentivise research excellence. Our recent FutureReady Series is helping advance students’ research capabilities, professional development and overall well-being through such activities as academic workshops, an annual student symposium, alumni fireside chats and wellness initiatives.
21 20 HKU ANNUAL REPORT 2025 RESEARCH AND INNOVATION STATE KEY LABORATORY OF SYNTHETIC CHEMISTRY STATE KEY LABORATORY OF PHARMACEUTICAL BIOTECHNOLOGY STATE KEY LABORATORY OF OPTICAL QUANTUM MATERIALS GLOBAL TOP 10 BY SUBJECT HKU HOSTS THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF STATE KEY LABORATORIES IN HONG KONG US NEWS & WORLD REPORT’S 2025–2026 BEST GLOBAL UNIVERSITIES RANKINGS BY SUBJECT EDUCATION AND EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH 1ST QS WORLD UNIVERSITY RANKINGS BY SUBJECT 2025 2ND EDUCATION AND TRAINING 3RD LINGUISTICS 9TH GEOGRAPHY DENTISTRY 10TH 5 STATE KEY LABORATORIES STATE KEY LABORATORY OF LIVER RESEARCH TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION WORLD UNIVERSITY RANKINGS BY SUBJECT 2025 EDUCATION STUDIES 6 TH Professor Guochun ZHAO Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences Professor Alec STONE SWEET Faculty of Law Professor YUEN Kwok-yung Department of Microbiology School of Clinical Medicine Professor MAK Tak-wah Department of Pathology School of Clinical Medicine Professor Xiang ZHANG President’s Office; Faculty of Engineering; Faculty of Science HKU SCHOLARS WERE NAMED BEST IN THEIR DISCIPLINES IN ASIA IN 2025 BY RESEARCH.COM 5 IN ASIA 1 ST EARTH SCIENCE LAW MICROBIOLOGY MOLECULAR BIOLOGY PHYSICS IN TOP 10 IN TOP 100 4 42 STANFORD UNIVERSITY’S LIST OF THE WORLD’S TOP 2% SCIENTISTS 2025 FOR CAREER-LONG IMPACT 376 IN TOP 10 IN TOP 100 2 53 434 HKU SCHOLARS WERE RANKED HKU SCHOLARS WERE RANKED STATE KEY LABORATORY OF EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES FOR RECENT-YEAR IMPACT
23 22 HKU ANNUAL REPORT 2025 RESEARCH AND INNOVATION CROSS-FIELD A record 54 HKU scholars were named in Clarivate’s Highly Cited Researchers 2025 list, which reflects the impact of individual scholars’ body of work in their disciplines. World-Leading Scholars Dr CHAN Kwok-hung Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine Professor CHU Hin Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine Professor Kuishuang FENG Department of Geography Professor Zhengxiao GUO Department of Chemistry Professor Ivan HUNG Fan-ngai Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine Professor Wei JIA Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy Professor Tommy LAM Tsan-yuk School of Public Health Dr Eric LAU Ho-yin School of Public Health Professor Kathy LEUNG Sze-man School of Public Health Professor Can LI Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Professor Yuguo LI Department of Mechanical Engineering Professor Shunlin LIANG Department of Geography Professor MAK Tak-wah Department of Pathology, School of Clinical Medicine Professor Malik PEIRIS School of Public Health Professor Leo POON Lit-man School of Public Health Professor Siddharth SRIDHAR Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine Professor Han WANG Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Professor Ian WONG Chi-kei Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy Professor Joseph WU Tsz-kei School of Public Health Professor Peng WU School of Public Health Professor YEN Hui-ling School of Public Health Professor Kelvin YEUNG Wai-kwok Centre of Development and Resources for Students; Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, School of Clinical Medicine Dr Cyril YIP Chik-yan Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine Professor Shuofeng YUAN Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine Professor Ray Runyang ZHONG Department of Data and Systems Engineering Professor Jie ZHOU Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine COMPUTER SCIENCE CHEMISTRY Professor Hongjie DAI Department of Chemistry Professor Renhao DONG Department of Chemistry Professor Sir Fraser STODDART Department of Chemistry Professor Kaibin HUANG Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Professor Yuanwei LIU Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering HKU RANKS 13 TH GLOBALLY FOR THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ITS RESEARCHER DESIGNATIONS, INCLUDING THOSE RECOGNISED IN MULTIPLE FIELDS
25 24 HKU ANNUAL REPORT 2025 RESEARCH AND INNOVATION ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS SOCIAL SCIENCES IMMUNOLOGY, MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND GENETICS Professor Chen LIN President’s Office; HKU Business School IMMUNOLOGY Mr Jianpiao CAI Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine Professor Vincent CHENG Chi-chung Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine Professor Benjamin John COWLING School of Public Health Professor Gabriel Matthew LEUNG School of Public Health MATERIALS SCIENCE Professor LI Lain-jong Department of Mechanical Engineering Professor Chunyi ZHI Department of Mechanical Engineering MICROBIOLOGY Professor Tong ZHANG Department of Civil Engineering PHYSICS Dr Yuan WANG Department of Mechanical Engineering Professor Wang YAO Department of Physics Professor Shuang ZHANG Department of Physics; Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Professor Xiang ZHANG President’s Office; Faculty of Engineering; Faculty of Science Professor Ester CERIN School of Public Health Professor Timothy HEW Khe-foon Faculty of Education Professor Xingjian LIU Department of Urban Planning and Design Professor Xiaohu ZHANG Department of Urban Planning and Design 54 HKU ACADEMICS NAMED IN CLARIVATE’S HIGHLY CITED RESEARCHERS 2025 LIST REPRESENTING 38% OF HONG KONG’S HIGHLY CITED RESEARCHERS ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY Professor Chuyang TANG Department of Civil Engineering GEOSCIENCES Professor Peng GONG President’s Office; Faculty of Science; Faculty of Social Sciences Professor Guochun ZHAO Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences Professor Yuyu ZHOU Department of Geography Professor Jasper CHAN Fuk-woo Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine Professor Kelvin TO Kai-wang Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine Professor YUEN Kwok-yung Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine IMMUNOLOGY, MICROBIOLOGY
27 26 HKU ANNUAL REPORT 2025 RESEARCH AND INNOVATION Professor Ferenc Krausz delivered his inaugural lecture titled ‘Toward Affordable Preventive Healthcare: Basic Science Addressing Grand Challenges’ at the Grand Hall of the Lee Shau Kee Lecture Centre, drawing an audience of over 800 participants from academic, policy, and student communities. PLANETARY SCIENCE EXPERT Professor Nicolas Dauphas joins HKU from the University of Chicago, having produced groundbreaking insights on the origins and evolution of planets and other objects in the solar system using high-precision mass spectrometry, synchrotron techniques, laboratory experiments and theoretical modelling. Among his findings, he demonstrated that Mars is a stranded planetary embryo and that Earth and the Moon have near identical isotopic compositions, challenging traditional models of lunar formation. As Chair Professor of Cosmochemistry, he is leading a new initiative to build HKU into a leading hub in Asia for cosmochemistry and planetary science. I aim to establish a world-class research programme that expands Hong Kong’s capabilities for space-mission sample analysis and will train students and postdocs to lead the next wave of discovery. Hong Kong’s international outlook and the Greater Bay Area’s innovation ecosystem make it an ideal base for ambitious, collaborative research. The welcome so far has been outstanding and HKU has provided excellent institutional support. Professor Nicolas DAUPHAS NOBEL PRIZE-WINNING PHYSICIST Physicist Professor Ferenc Krausz, the 2023 Nobel Laureate in Physics, has joined HKU as Chair Professor in the Department of Physics. Professor Krausz has pushed the frontiers of human knowledge forward through his work in ultrafast laser science and quantum optics. He and his team were the first to generate light pulses in the attosecond range, allowing electron movements to be observed in real time. He has been applying these findings to the development of new medical diagnostic techniques, working initially in Hungary and Germany and now branching out to HKU, which he sees as a critical base for advancing this work. Professor Krausz, a native of Hungary, has most recently been based at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München in Germany. HKU’s interdisciplinary vision aligns perfectly with the next chapter of my career. It is one of the best universities in the world and it attracts a lot of young talents from all over the world. We cannot be successful in our research unless we attract the best talents to work with us. I very much look forward to setting up research activities here in collaboration with HKU’s world-class Clinical Trials Centre. If we succeed, we will be the global pioneers of future personalised preventive care. Professor Ferenc KRAUSZ About 100 top scholars from leading global institutions opted to join HKU over the past year, which in turn helped attract talented research students to the University. Choosing HKU
29 28 HKU ANNUAL REPORT 2025 RESEARCH AND INNOVATION THE BETTER OPTION Kunxiang Peng was all set to pursue a fully funded PhD at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), offered in February 2025, when geopolitical events intervened. Research funding cuts in his field of earth science, changing US policies regarding student visas and rising political tensions within America combined to make the option much less attractive. When he began to think of alternatives, HKU jumped to the top of his list. He was impressed by the swift, welcoming response he received, as well as the presence of scholars who could enable him to advance his research, such as recent recruit Professor Nicolas Dauphas and incoming Professor Meng Guo from Yale University in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences. Giving up MIT in favour of HKU was, for me, a very natural decision. There are scholars here like Professor Dauphas, who has had a profound influence in earth science and geochemistry. Both Hong Kong and HKU are also uniquely positioned to leverage the academic and funding resources of the Chinese Mainland, while fostering global collaborations. A forthcoming international lunar soil symposium, jointly organised by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and HKU, is a prime example of these advantages. Kunxiang PENG STEM CELL TRAILBLAZER Professor Guoping Fan comes to HKU from the United States, where he pursued postgraduate studies and spent years based mainly at the University of California, Los Angeles. He has produced landmark research on stem cells and epigenetics, with his research papers cited more than 20,000 times. When he was made an offer to join the School of Biomedical Sciences, he saw a chance to move in new directions and to build on the positive impressions from his youth of Hong Kong as a prosperous and promising city. SEMICONDUCTOR LEADER Strong initiatives by HKU and the Government of the HKSAR to promote the development of semiconductor and microelectronics technologies attracted Professor Yuhao Zhang to the University from Virginia Tech, where he had led semiconductor research in one of the largest academic research centres in power electronics in the world. Professor Zhang intends to focus his research and teaching on power and energy applications for semiconductor technologies, which are set to play an important role in the future in such areas as large data centres, low-altitude economy, electric vehicles and power grids with renewable energy. One of his plans while at HKU is to establish an industrial consortium to develop real-world applications of academic innovation. I am impressed by the talents and resources available and the potential for Hong Kong to be a bridge connecting the Chinese Mainland with Western countries. The infrastructure for biomedical research here is outstanding, and HKU also attracts top students from across the region. I am convinced this is a great opportunity for me not only to do great science but also expand my horizon to venture into translational medicine. The University has offered outstanding support, both in vision and practical resources. For example, it approved the new Centre for Advanced Semiconductors and Integrated Circuits and a new Master of Science in Engineering programme in Integrated Circuits and Electronic Systems, both of which I am involved in. I already have a sizeable group and laboratory and have more than five industry sponsors and government funding. I feel very fortunate to be at HKU at such an exciting time and I especially enjoy the warm and collaborative atmosphere. Professor Guoping FAN Professor Yuhao ZHANG
31 30 HKU ANNUAL REPORT 2025 TECH TRANSFER AND KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE HKU’s innovation ecosystem is continuing to expand and evolve, bringing our research and innovation deeper into the community. Making A TECH TRANSFER AND KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE Difference
33 32 HKU ANNUAL REPORT 2025 TECH TRANSFER AND KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE NEW PATENTS GRANTED IN 2024–25 132 INVENTIONS AWARDED AT THE 50TH INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION OF INVENTIONS GENEVA 34 ACTIVE START-UPS 445 IN 2024–25 SUPPORTED START-UPS GREW BY 135 +43.5% Real impact happens not in the lab or academic circles, but in the contributions and enhancements academia makes to the wider world. HKU is building up its capacity to achieve impact by solidifying collaborations within and beyond the University and creating opportunities for researchers and students to develop their discoveries through commercialisation and start-ups. A key player in this is the Techno-Entrepreneurship Core (TEC), established in 2023 to lead the promotion of innovation and entrepreneurship. In 2024, it launched the TechnoEntrepreneurship Academy in Qianhai with the Qianhai Authority and Shenzhen Government, to provide much needed space for students and start-ups. There are now 65 start-ups based there, bringing the total number of active HKU start-ups to 445. Some of these are highly impactful, winning awards at events such as the 50th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva, where HKU won 34 awards, including an esteemed special grand prize (see page 34). The TEC also works closely with the Tam Wing Fan Innovation Wing, Common Core, and other academic units to help create an ecosystem on campus that encourages innovation and coordinates and facilitates related activities. Highlights in 2024–25 included the 2024 GenAI Hackathon for Social Good Competition led by the Common Core, which attracted 71 teams from four Hong Kong universities; the Entrepreneurship Academy, attracting more than 1,400 participants; the HKU SEED Programme, which helped launch 41 new tech start-ups; and Innovation Wing activities, which attracted more than 3,000 participants. The University also launched three new schools – the School for Computing and Data Science, the School of Innovation and the School of Biomedical Engineering – to train future innovators, and the new Arts Tech Lab to foster tech-oriented creative ventures. Industry partnerships were also ramped up, as HKU signed agreements over the past year with major companies such as China Merchants Group, Gotion High-Tech, TCL and China Mobile to explore advances in everything from stem cell research to lithium battery solutions and low-altitude aviation. Joint institutes were also established, such as the China Resources-HKU Joint R&D Center for Intelligent Technology. Funding is, of course, essential for bringing innovation into the community, and the University looks beyond government grants. In December 2024, the new Entrepreneurship Engine Fund (EEF), which channels ‘patient capital’ into high-potential ventures, signed its first group of investors, who collectively pledged HK$370 million to HKU start-ups; subsequently, the University Council raised the EEF’s future target to HK$1 billion. The new HKU Super Angel Network, launched in March 2025, offers an avenue for alumni to invest in HKU start-ups and provide mentorship. The Tech-Up GBA Innovators Programme, launched with support from the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau, supports young entrepreneurs. HKU scholars also secured major government funding for three projects awarded in round two of the Innovation and Technology Fund’s RAISe+ Scheme. Impact is also realised by supporting system changes and helping people in need enhance their health and quality of life. HKU’s annual Knowledge Exchange awards honour projects that achieve that (see page 39). The inaugural KE Student Ambassador Programme was also launched in 2024–25 to engage students in amplifying community awareness of the benefits of HKU research. On March 16, 2025, HKU marked a historic milestone with the HKU Super Angel Symposium and the official launch of the HKU Super Angel Network during HKU Alumni Day. HKU signed an agreement with GETECH and TCL to establish a joint laboratory focussing on industrial artificial intelligence. PROJECTS UNDER THE IMPACT PROJECT SCHEME 12 EACH RECEIVING UP TO HK$ 150,000 IMPACT PROJECTS SUPPORTED BY HKU IN 2024–25 24 PROJECTS UNDER THE STRATEGIC IMPACT SCHEME 12 EACH RECEIVING UP TO HK$ 500,000
35 34 HKU ANNUAL REPORT 2025 TECH TRANSFER AND KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE BETTER VACCINES Two intranasal influenza vaccines developed at HKU that can offer protection to a broad range of virus subtypes were awarded Gold Medals and the Saudi Innovation Excellence Prize at the 50th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva held in April 2025. The vaccines, developed under the leadership of Professor Leo Poon Lit-man, Daniel C K Yu Professor in Virology, Chair of Public Health Virology and Managing Director of the Centre for Immunology & Infection, offer protection for humans against multiple human and avian virus subtypes, including emerging viruses. They also address the limitations of seasonal vaccines that require annual updates and often struggle against new strains. The use of an intranasal delivery format helps overcome vaccine hesitancy due to fears associated with injections. Meanwhile, a research team led by Professor Honglin Chen of the State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine and Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, has developed a nasal spray-delivered H5N1 avian influenza vaccine that provides robust protection after a single dose. The vaccine has potential as a critical reserve to help curb transmission early on in future H5N1 outbreaks. It was funded by the Information and Technology Commission and is based on a platform developed with Wantai BioPharm in 2022 for a COVID-19 nasal spray vaccine. SMART GARMENT MAKING The HKU-developed SewingDX, an advanced sewing system that can sew fabric panels into three-dimensional (3D) shapes, was named one of the ‘Top 10 Emerging Clothing Technologies to Watch in 2025 and Beyond’ by StartUs Insights, a global AI-driven platform that maps innovation and emerging technologies and companies around the world. SewingDX is a spin-off of the Centre for Transformative Garment Production (TransGP), a collaborative research centre of HKU and Tohoku University with Professor Norman Tien, Taikoo Professor of Engineering and Chair Professor of Microsystems Technology in HKU’s Faculty of Engineering, as Managing Director. SewingDX was the only technology featured in StartUs Insights’ top 10 that came from outside the US, UK and Europe, and it has attracted attention from both the garment and automotive sectors. Its patented innovations range from AI-guided stitching and edge tracking to automated tension control, enabling the automation of complex sewing tasks traditionally performed by skilled workers. The system also reduces operation time by 50% to 75%, making it an attractive option for industry in the face of labour shortages and an ageing workforce. HKU-GROWN CANCER CURE The first anti-cancer drug invented in Hong Kong has obtained orphan drug designation from the US Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency, which is given to drugs that show promise for treating rare diseases. The drug Oral-ATO was developed by a team led by Professor Gill Harinder Harry Singh of the Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine and has been shown in clinical trials to be an effective cure for acute promyelocytic leukaemia. The drug has had an unusual development trajectory, starting in 1997 when Professor Kwong Yok-lam, Chair of Haematology and Haematological Oncology, and Emeritus Professor Cyrus Kumana produced a formulation of arsenic trioxide for patients. There was scant funding for research translation at this time, but they persisted and passed the baton along to multiple generations of HKU scholars. The result is a drug that is not only highly effective in both treating patients and preventing relapses, with an overall survival rate of up to 97%, but also about one-tenth the cost of other regimes. Further studies of the drug will be conducted in the US and Europe with industry partners. HKUMed has achieved a significant breakthrough in developing needle-free, live-attenuated influenza vaccines with broad protection against human and avian virus subtypes. Fixture-free 3D sewing automation with puckering-free operation in 14 seconds, reducing time by 50% to 75%. The State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases at HKU and Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics successfully developed a nasal spray H5N1 avian influenza vaccine. Leveraging cutting-edge AI, computer vision, and robotics to automate complex 3D sewing tasks previously handled by skilled workers only. HKUMed researchers have invented an oral formulation of arsenic trioxide for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukaemia, with a 97% cure rate. Innovations from HKU scholars are earning awards and recognition for their achievements in bringing improvements to health and industry. Groundbreaking Ideas
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