HKU President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Xiang Zhang welcomes the initiatives outlined in the Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address that strategically leverage Hong Kong’s innovation potential while fostering synergy among education, technology and talent development to further advance Hong Kong’s development as an international hub for post-secondary education and high-calibre talents.
“The initiatives outlined in the Policy Address reinforce Hong Kong’s pivotal role in supporting our nation’s technological self-reliance and high-quality development. As a global leader in research and renovation, HKU will translate visionary innovation and research into tangible impact, fortifying both Hong Kong’s and our nation’s leadership in the global innovation arena,” said Professor Zhang.
Professor Zhang points out that the Policy Address’s key measures – including raising the non-local student ratio and the large-scale promotional campaign ‘Hong Kong: Your World-class Campus’ – will significantly enhance the international competitiveness of Hong Kong’s post-secondary institutions and further attract global talent. These policies will further consolidate the leadership positions of HKU and Hong Kong as the premier destinations for top international talent.
Professor Zhang welcomes the Policy Address’s focus on accelerating the Northern Metropolis as Hong Kong’s new economic engine and the construction of the University Town. With its internationally acclaimed interdisciplinary research capabilities, HKU recognises the imperative of fostering robust industry-academia collaboration and is committed to enhancing collaboration with top-tier institutions in Hong Kong, the Mainland, and abroad, in alignment with national development priorities.
Professor Zhang believes the Government’s Frontier Technology Research Support Scheme and establishment of the Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute in 2026 would further elevate Hong Kong’s strengths in AI and innovation. HKU has implemented mandatory AI literacy training for all undergraduates and established the School of Computing and Data Science to drive cutting-edge research, in alignment with the Government’s vision for a robust AI and innovation ecosystem in Hong Kong.
The accelerated development of the third InnoHK research cluster complements HKU’s mission to strengthen its scientific leadership and global impact. Beyond its existing InnoHK laboratories, HKU hosts the highest number of State Key Laboratories in Hong Kong. The imminent completion of the first phase of Tech Landmark – HKU’s cutting-edge interdisciplinary research hub – will further drive breakthroughs in AI, big data, smart materials, quantum science, and biomedical engineering.
Professor Zhang affirms that the forward-looking policies outlined in the Policy Address provide a clear blueprint for Hong Kong’s sustainable development. HKU will leverage its academic excellence to foster close collaboration with government, industry, and partners at both national and international levels. Through these partnerships, the University will drive cutting-edge innovation, nurture world-class talent, and advance key priorities – ultimately strengthening Hong Kong’s and the nation’s leadership in global scientific research and technological progress.
