CityUHK’s “Tunnel of Future Innovations” receives cultural accolade for art-technology fusion
City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) is a young and vibrant institution, committed to driving innovation and fostering a diverse, international teaching and learning environment, while remaining closely connected to the community.
CityUHK recently received the prestigious ArtCan Cultural Award at the ArtCan Cultural Forum and Awards Ceremony 2025, organised by Sing Tao News Corporation. This accolade celebrates CityUHK’s outstanding contribution to Hong Kong’s arts and cultural landscape through the groundbreaking concept and implementation of the “Tunnel of Future Innovations”. The project has integrated creative culture into campus design, sparked interdisciplinary thinking, and strengthened ties between the University and the Sham Shui Po community.
The award ceremony was officiated by Miss Rosanna Law Shuk-pui, JP, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China. The award was presented by Ms Meimei K.L. Chan, Features Department Director of Sing Tao Daily & Sing Tao News Media, to CityUHK in recognition of the University’s dedication to promoting arts, culture and innovation.
This year, 30 entries were shortlisted, and after professional judging, CityUHK’s “Tunnel of Future Innovations” was selected as one of the top ten award-winning projects—making CityUHK the only local university to receive this prestigious honour to date.
At the award presentation, the organisers praised the CityUHK team for transforming innovative and artistic ideas into tangible outcomes, stating: “The ‘Tunnel of Future Innovations’ made a breakthrough debut by staging Hong Kong’s first tunnel‑based fashion show and interactive experience, successfully integrating technology and art, and becoming a popular new landmark among residents and visitors.”
Launched in May last year, the “Tunnel of Future Innovations” connects the campus with a neighbouring large shopping mall and made its debut with Hong Kong’s first-ever tunnel fashion show, “Thread of Creativity”. The tunnel features a 4K interactive touch screen wall for campus navigation and 100 metres of LED screens, offering an immersive digital experience, with the convergence of light, creativity and technology. It creates a unique space for students, staff and visitors to experience the fusion of art and innovation, linking the University and the local community with the rest of the city and showcasing Hong Kong’s cultural vibrancy on the global stage.
In addition to displaying creative artworks by CityUHK students and faculty, the tunnel recently collaborated with a local visual artist to create a large-scale artwork, titled “My Neighbourhood, My CityUHK”. The imagery blends campus landmarks with Sham Shui Po’s local shops and Lion Rock, conveying a message of love and blessings, reflecting CityUHK’s care and support for the community and fostering cultural exchange between the campus and neighbourhood.
The innovative design of the tunnel has also been highly acclaimed by the architectural and interior design community. The project was recently shortlisted for the Best Education award in the Interior Design category in the category of Best Education Interior at the Perspective A&D Awards 2025, underscoring its exceptional creativity and industry recognition. The A&D Awards is one of the most prestigious design accolades in the Asia-Pacific region, celebrating excellence in architecture and interior design.
Since its opening, the tunnel has hosted multi-sensory experiences with academic, cultural and community themes. It serves as a dynamic platform for performances and exhibitions, showcasing student and alumni works, and has evolved into a distinctive “Study Tour” destination. This initiative reflects CityUHK’s commitment to blending creativity with innovation and to serving society through impactful projects.