CityUHK annual Principals’ Reception showcases achievements in innovative education and talent cultivation
City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) hosted its 2026 Principals’ Reception recently under the theme “Nurturing Global Talent and Future Leaders”. Attracting over 130 participants, including 85 principals, vice-principals and teachers from local secondary schools, the event provided a platform to connect with CityUHK leadership, faculty and students to exchange views on emerging trends in education and strategies for talent development.
The Reception was held for the first time at the recently inaugurated Jockey Club One Health Tower. In his opening remarks, Professor Chun-Sing Lee, Acting President of CityUHK, extended a warm welcome to secondary school representatives to visit the campus and experience CityUHK’s vibrant academic environment and dynamic campus life in person. He highlighted that innovation and internationalisation are embedded in the University’s DNA, noting that CityUHK continuously drives innovation in its learning environment, curriculum design and student development initiatives to nurture future leaders with a global perspective and an innovative mindset.
The event featured three thematic sites showcasing CityUHK’s innovative education philosophy and achievements in talent development. Highlights included the University’s flagship programmes and Joint Bachelor’s Degree Programmes, the Overseas Start-up Technology Entrepreneur Programme (STEP), the HK Tech 300 innovation and entrepreneurship programme, sharing by selected start-ups, and the CityUHK CareerBridge+ initiative. These exhibits provided an overview of CityUHK’s quality education programmes, entrepreneurship opportunities and career-development support.
School representatives also toured the Hu Fa Kuang Sports Centre to learn more about CityUHK’s commitment in practice to advancing sports development and whole-person education. The Centre features Hong Kong’s largest single-level university sports hall, and the first doubles squash court and first all-weather indoor jogging track among local universities. These state-of-the-art facilities provide a professional training platform for elite athletes and a wide range of sporting opportunities for students, staff and alumni.
In his address, Professor Chan Chi-hou, Vice-President (Community Engagement), said that CityUHK has long fostered close partnerships with secondary schools through a range of collaborative initiatives, including Teacher Development Days, campus visits and summer enrichment programmes, to nurture future talent. He also referred to the recent “Hong Kong Primary and Secondary School Principals’ Delegation to Beijing”, during which participants visited organisations such as the China Academy of Space Technology and the Xiaomi Auto Factory. The visit provided valuable insights into the nation’s latest developments in artificial intelligence, green energy, transportation and aerospace technologies, while strengthening collaboration between Hong Kong and Beijing in educational innovation and talent development.
This academic year, CityUHK will launch a series of programmes for secondary school students in areas spanning technological innovation, university life and exhibitions of educational achievements. Leveraging its industry-leading technology development platforms, the University will encourage students to explore the integration of cutting-edge technologies with community development through innovation competitions. CityUHK will also open its world-class research facilities to provide immersive learning opportunities for secondary school students. At the same time, the University plans to engage with the secondary school sector to jointly review and showcase excellence in teaching and research across Hong Kong’s secondary and higher education sectors, working together to advance curriculum innovation.
Other CityUHK representatives attending the event included Professor Isaiah Arkin, Dean of the College of Biomedicine; Professor Wang Xin, Dean of the College of Science; Professor Wong Hang, Associate Vice-President (Community Engagement); Professor Johnny Ho Chung-yin, Associate Vice-President (Enterprise); Professor Alan Wan Tze-kin, Associate Provost (Academic Affairs); Professor Ray Cheung Chak-chung, Associate Provost (Digital Learning); Professor Dannii Yeung Yuen-lan, Associate Provost (Student Life); and Professor Gary Wong Ka-leung, Associate Provost (Quality Assurance and Accountability).