HKU is set to expand its footprint in the Chinese Mainland with strategic bases established in Shanghai, fostering cross-border education and collaboration, and promoting cultural exchange in a vibrant academic landscape. Leading the way is the School of Computing and Data Science (CDS) which has launched its first-ever dual-site semester across Hong Kong and Shanghai, with the first cohort of over 200 master’s and undergraduate students having embarked on their learning journey in the second semester that started mid January.
Students enrolled in CDS’s Tech Immersion Fellowship programme, which is already in full swing and is redefining cross-border tech education, can split their studies between HKU’s main campus and the newly opened HKU-CDS Teaching and Research Site in Shanghai – a ‘one school, two teaching sites’ approach that integrates world-class academia with industry innovation.
“The launch of dual teaching sites in Hong Kong and Shanghai aligns seamlessly with local and national strategic initiatives in science and technology, equipping the future leaders with essential skills in computing, data science, and artificial intelligence,” said Professor Yi Ma, Director of CDS. “We are dedicated to transforming conventional educational models to address the rapid changes in industry and society. This ‘one school, two teaching sites’ model represents a major step in fostering innovation and global competitiveness.”
Nestled in Zhangjiang Science City – an epicentre for cutting-edge technology, research, and start-up ecosystems – the new site empowers students to learn, research, and collaborate in one of the nation’s leading innovation hubs.
“The programme is open to students at all levels – undergraduates, master’s, and PhD – for immersive study in Shanghai,” noted Professor Lam Tak-wah, Deputy Director of CDS. “We’ve invited prominent industry leaders from companies to share cutting-edge insights with students, bridging academic learning with real-world applications,” he added. Students will certainly benefit from the exposure to Shanghai’s high‑tech landscape and exclusive internship opportunities.
The HKU Zhangjiang Base encompasses an academic building, a multipurpose building and residences, and is supported with advanced computing facilities and modern sports amenities. There are also shuttle buses for commuting to and from classes, which basically covers most of the daily needs of students and staff.
“You can really feel how much care the University has put into this place for us!” That’s the verdict from Zhen Yuan, a student from the School of Computing and Data Science who is currently studying at the HKU Zhangjiang Base in Shanghai. Yuan said, “I’m most impressed by the student dormitories, which are well-equipped, with a balcony, sofa and kitchen.”
He also appreciates how the residence encourages cultural exchange and engagement among students from diverse backgrounds, saying, “It’s very convenient for students on different floors and in different rooms to meet and study together. Students from different majors and regions can share the same hobbies and hang out to play basketball. I think this kind of accommodation arrangement is really great!”
