The University of Hong Kong welcomed an unprecedented 100,000+ prospective students and their families from diverse academic and cultural backgrounds to campus for its annual Information Day for Undergraduate Admissions 2026 (IDAY) on October 24, 2026. The flagship admissions event offered visitors an immersive introduction to HKU’s wide range of innovative programmes and university community.
This year’s theme, ‘Shape a More Sustainable World with AI’, reflected HKU’s commitment to interdisciplinary education and technological innovation, and showcased the integration of artificial intelligence across the University’s various disciplines.
During the event, HKU President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Xiang Zhang met with prospective students to speak about the University’s educational philosophy. He emphasised that HKU was not only a seat of learning and knowledge, but also an environment designed to foster innovative thinking and help students pursue their ambitions. “Our goal at HKU is not to hand you a ready-made map of the future, but to empower you with the courage and capacity to chart your own course through uncharted territories,” Professor Zhang said. “We hope you will learn to ask questions that no one has conceived before, and boldly define an extraordinary path that is uniquely yours.”
IDAY was a fitting opportunity to introduce the University’s three new undergraduate programmes. These programmes, subject to approval, will integrate knowledge across disciplines, fostering a human-centred mindset and empowering students with the skills to tackle real-world challenges through technological innovations.
The Faculty of Arts’ Bachelor of Arts Elite Programme is a flexible interdisciplinary programme that aims to cultivate global perspectives, critical thinking, and academic excellence for outstanding students in humanities. It also offers pathways to prestigious international Master’s programmes, such as those of the Geneva Graduate Institute and Peking University’s Yenching Academy.
The Bachelor of Engineering in Robotics Engineering is a collaborative four-year programme across the Faculty of Engineering’s Departments of Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Data and Systems Engineering, and Civil Engineering, that emphasises innovation, systems thinking, and international exposure through a Hong Kong–Shanghai study roadmap. Graduates will be equipped to pursue careers in robotics, intelligent manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, autonomous vehicles, drones, and other emerging technology fields.
The Faculty of Social Sciences introduced its cutting-edge interdisciplinary Bachelor of Social Sciences (Elite) programme that focuses on contemporary society and tackles the most complex global challenges of our time. Combining advanced analytical methodologies with human-centric wisdom, the curriculum offers specialised concentrations through a Research Track and an Impact Track. Students will benefit from an accelerated 4+1 pathway to Master’s-level education, individualised mentorship from accomplished scholars and senior practitioners across academia, government, and business, alongside exclusive scholar grants and international enrichment support.
Throughout the day, IDAY attendees had a chance to learn first-hand how HKU incorporates AI literacy and practical skill sets into its curricula to prepare students for future careers in many different fields – technology, arts, humanities, business, medicine, law, science, and more – while empowering them to contribute meaningfully to a sustainable future. By joining information sessions, faculty-led presentations, and interactive workshops across various schools and departments, visitors were able to better understand HKU’s programme offerings and experience its unique academic culture for themselves.
“I found the talks and booths really insightful. The professors and current students were approachable and explained the different programmes clearly, especially how the curriculum balances theory with real-world applications,” said Secondary Six student Maxene. “Walking around the campus and chatting with people gave me a much better sense of the learning atmosphere.”
Another prospective student, M-Jean, said, “Visiting HKU was a very enjoyable experience. I not only got to visit many facilities and booths, but I also got to listen to a talk for JUPAS students, which was very informative. My most memorable experience was listening to a sharing session given by a current student from the HKU Business School. She told me all about the many opportunities HKU can offer its students and inspired me to work harder in my studies to achieve the goal of gaining admission to HKU.”
This year’s IDAY successfully showcased HKU’s dedication to preparing students with the knowledge, skill set, and international vision required to navigate an AI-driven global landscape. HKU looks forward to welcoming future students to join the vibrant campus community and continue pioneering innovation and sustainability.
