Building Dreams at CityUHK: Professor Herman Hu Shao-ming’s Vision for the Next Generation

Upon entering the meeting room of Professor Herman Hu Shao-ming, Co-Chairperson of the Board of Governors of CityUHK Foundation and Chairman of Ryoden Development Limited, one is greeted by memorabilia from different organisations. However, CityUHK items dominate the collection. “I joined the CityUHK Council in 2003 and served as its Chairman from 2012 to 2017,” he says, “so naturally, my connection with CityUHK is particularly deep.”

Professor Hu is deeply involved in everything he does. When CityUHK intended to establish Hong Kong’s first veterinary school, he spent eight years garnering support from various sectors, eventually proving CityUHK’s visionary foresight. Another exciting development is the upcoming 15-story Jockey Club One Health Tower, which is being built on the site of the Hu Fa Kuang Sports Centre, named after his father. This project is a testament to CityUHK’s ability to turn challenges into opportunities.

In recent years, Professor Hu has witnessed CityUHK’s rise in the global academic rankings, including being ranked as the world’s most international university by Times Higher Education World University Rankings in 2024. And many CityUHK scholars have been recognised as the world’s most highly cited researchers. CityUHK’s education nurtures students from all walks of life, moulding them into leaders who contribute to society and the nation across various fields.

In 2021, Professor Hu established the “Herman Hu Scholarships for Joint Degree Programmes”, supporting over 20 students to study at world-renowned universities. He also set up the “Outstanding Student Athletes Entrance Scholarships” and the “Outstanding Sports Talents Scholarships”, benefiting nearly 200 students, including Grace Lau Mo-sheung, Tokyo Olympics 2020 Karate -Women’s Kata bronze medallist and Asian Karate Federation Senior Championships 2023 and 2024 gold medalist in the Women’s Kata event.

His passion for education runs in the family. Professor Hu’s ancestors founded Datong University in the last century, instilling in him from a young age the belief in the long-term impact of education. As he rose to prominence, he made it his mission to help young people realise their dreams, seeing it as both a way to give back to society and a continuation of his family’s legacy.

Compared to his predecessors, his approach to education is even more forward. He believes that the nation’s competitiveness stems from its research capabilities. Hence, he supported the University’s Named Chair Professorship Scheme to bolster scientific research in fields like nanomaterials, biomedical sciences and architecture to create a stronger impact on society.

Professor Hu is a sports enthusiast and believes that sports and education share many similarities. The word “difficulty” does not exist in his lexicon. For him, the key lies in possessing strong willpower and a positive mindset, much like how CityUHK has overcome numerous challenges along the way. He concludes, “I will continue to contribute ideas and strategies to the CityUHK Foundation to give the next generation of Hong Kong more opportunities to shine on the global stage.”

Professor Hu is a sports enthusiast. He demonstrates a figure of himself in a sports outfit with the campus in the background, presented by CityUHK.