On August 26, the University welcomed a new cohort of undergraduate students into the HKU family with an inauguration ceremony for the 2026–27 academic year. Themed ‘Excellence with Purpose: Shaping Tomorrow’s Leaders Today’, the Ceremony – attended by about 1,500 students, in person in the Grand Hall or through a live stream of the event in a nearby lecture theatre at the Lee Shau Kee Lecture Centre – marked the beginning of a journey grounded in not only knowledge but also responsibility.
HKU President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Xiang Zhang delivered a welcoming address that underscored the University’s commitment to cultivating leaders equipped for a rapidly changing world. “We aim to nurture you all to become future leaders of this world. If you commit to making a difference with empathy, you will always be irreplaceable. That is the true essence of excellence with purpose,” said Professor Zhang, encouraging students to pursue excellence while upholding strong values, demonstrating courage, and embracing a sense of responsibility towards society.
Professor Zhang highlighted HKU’s leadership in AI education as the first university in Hong Kong to integrate AI literacy as a compulsory component of the undergraduate curriculum, ensuring students are equipped with essential future skills. He urged students to embrace AI and emerging technologies whilst remaining anchored to the enduring core mission of education.
He further encouraged students to seize every opportunity for learning and exploration at HKU, cultivating the creativity, curiosity, empathy, and leadership required to become purposeful change-makers of the future.
As the Guest of Honour, the Honourable Mrs Regina Ip, Convenor of the Non-official Members of the Executive Council and a distinguished HKU alumna, drew on her rich experiences and encouraged students to embrace lifelong learning, remain adaptable, and pursue their passions with confidence.
“Your journey will be just as unpredictable. Do not be afraid to take the road less travelled. Do not be afraid to change direction when circumstances demand it. Above all, do not regard your degree as the destination of your education. The future belongs to those who are prepared to embrace change, reinvent themselves and make a difference,” she said.
Mrs Ip also reflected on Hong Kong’s remarkable transformation over the past decades, noting that rapid advancements in AI, frontier technologies, and the shifting global landscape require the next generation to cultivate foresight, adaptability, and an interdisciplinary mindset to thrive in an increasingly complex world.
Amid the inspiring speeches, a cherished tradition took centre stage – the Robing Ceremony. With pride and solemnity, students donned the University’s iconic green gown under the leadership of Professor Zhang, formally marking their entry into the HKU community.
The Inauguration Ceremony was more than a formal commencement; it served as an inspiring call for a new generation of change-makers prepared to lead with purpose. With a foundation built on innovation, compassion, and adaptability, HKU’s newest cohort is poised to shape a better future, leaving a lasting impact on Hong Kong and beyond.
