CityUHK establishes Institute of Future Learning to drive educational innovation with global tech partners
City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) held the inauguration ceremony for the Institute of Future Learning (IFL) and a signing ceremony with its collaborating institutions on 29 September, marking a significant milestone in the University’s advancement in commitment to educational innovation. The IFL aims to address the rapid transformation and development of higher education by promoting interdisciplinary teaching models and advancing of digital learning technologies, with strong support from several international technology companies.
The IFL will focus on curriculum innovation, student empowerment, professional development and policy influence. Through applied research and strategic collaboration, it will serve as a platform for exchange between academia and industry, driving the transformation of educational models and facilitating knowledge co-creation and practical applications. The establishment of the IFL reflects CityUHK’s commitment to innovation, as outlined in its Strategic Plan 2025-30: Innovating into the Future, and injects new momentum into the education sector in Hong Kong, China and globally, fostering sustainable educational reform and development.
Dr Choi Yuk-lin, Secretary for Education of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, participated in the opening ceremony via video. She congratulated CityUHK on the establishment of the IFL and affirmed its significant role in promoting educational innovation. "CityUHK has long been a key player in realising Hong Kong’s vision for education and innovation,” she said. “This central hub for innovation aligns with the Government of the HKSAR’s initiatives in recent years to promote the integration of technology in education.”
Dr Choi added that CityUHK has created more than a new academic unit. In addition to empowering students to become active participants in their learning and equipping them with future-ready skills and interdisciplinary competencies through the use of emerging technologies, it represents a crucial milestone in reimagining the future of higher education.
Professor Andreas Schleicher, Director for Education and Skills at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and Mr Yu Changxue, Director of the China Center for International People-to-People Exchange of the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, also extended their congratulations via video.
They commended CityUHK for its continued efforts to promote educational reform and foster international collaboration and expressed their hope that the establishment of the IFL would further strengthen CityUHK’s international advantages, promote collaborative innovation in educational concepts and practices, and in the context of rapid technological development, explore new directions and uncover more opportunities for the benefit of society.
In his welcome remarks, Professor Freddy Boey, CityUHK President and University Distinguished Professor, said the establishment of the IFL was a bold commitment to reimagining how the University teaches, learns and serves society. He expressed confidence that it would serve as a central hub for educational innovation to drive large-scale change and catalyse strategic collaboration.
President Boey added that CityUHK had been actively integrating cutting-edge technology into higher education, promoting a “learning-centric” education framework and striving to create a more inspiring and interactive learning environment. He emphasised that by focusing on the four I’s – Institutional, Inspirational, Interactive and Innovative Learning – the University aims to embed student-centric education throughout its teaching activities, ensuring that its students receive not just a degree, but a comprehensive educational experience.
Several international technology companies and educational institutions attended the ceremony, including Alibaba Cloud, Beijing Galaxy Intelligence Learning Technology (GalaxyIL), Microsoft Hong Kong, Tencent Cloud and the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers (HKFEW), to celebrate the establishment of the Institute.
During the ceremony, CityUHK signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with four collaborating institutions, demonstrating the industry’s high recognition and support for the IFL. The MoUs were signed by Professor Lee Chun-sing, Provost and Deputy President of CityUHK, and representatives from the four organisations: Dr Wang Zhuo, CEO of GalaxyIL, Mr Fred Sheu, National Technology Officer of Microsoft Hong Kong, Mr Yang Hui, Vice President of Tencent Cloud and Head of Tencent Education Solutions, and Mr Wong Kam-leung, Chairman of HKFEW. The signings were witnessed by President Boey.
In his address, Professor Ray Cheung Chak-chung, Director of the IFL, expressed his gratitude to all parties, particularly the collaborating institutions, for their support, which will enable the Institute to transform its vision for future education into reality. He emphasised that future learning will encompass more than technology. More importantly, it will involve collaboration across sectors to provide solutions for students, empowering them with technological knowledge and skills and nurturing their ability to collaborate with empathy and innovative with purpose to address real-world challenges.
In addition, several Legislative Council members and CityUHK representatives, including
Professor Anderson Shum Ho-cheung, Vice-President (Research), Professor Li Wen Jung, Vice-President (Talent and International Strategy), and Miss Maggie Chau, Vice-President (Administration) attended the ceremony.
Media enquiries:
Julian Ng, Communications and Institutional Research Office, CityUHK (Tel: 3442 2569)
The IFL will focus on curriculum innovation, student empowerment, professional development and policy influence. Through applied research and strategic collaboration, it will serve as a platform for exchange between academia and industry, driving the transformation of educational models and facilitating knowledge co-creation and practical applications. The establishment of the IFL reflects CityUHK’s commitment to innovation, as outlined in its Strategic Plan 2025-30: Innovating into the Future, and injects new momentum into the education sector in Hong Kong, China and globally, fostering sustainable educational reform and development.
Dr Choi Yuk-lin, Secretary for Education of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, participated in the opening ceremony via video. She congratulated CityUHK on the establishment of the IFL and affirmed its significant role in promoting educational innovation. "CityUHK has long been a key player in realising Hong Kong’s vision for education and innovation,” she said. “This central hub for innovation aligns with the Government of the HKSAR’s initiatives in recent years to promote the integration of technology in education.”
Dr Choi added that CityUHK has created more than a new academic unit. In addition to empowering students to become active participants in their learning and equipping them with future-ready skills and interdisciplinary competencies through the use of emerging technologies, it represents a crucial milestone in reimagining the future of higher education.
Professor Andreas Schleicher, Director for Education and Skills at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and Mr Yu Changxue, Director of the China Center for International People-to-People Exchange of the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, also extended their congratulations via video.
They commended CityUHK for its continued efforts to promote educational reform and foster international collaboration and expressed their hope that the establishment of the IFL would further strengthen CityUHK’s international advantages, promote collaborative innovation in educational concepts and practices, and in the context of rapid technological development, explore new directions and uncover more opportunities for the benefit of society.
In his welcome remarks, Professor Freddy Boey, CityUHK President and University Distinguished Professor, said the establishment of the IFL was a bold commitment to reimagining how the University teaches, learns and serves society. He expressed confidence that it would serve as a central hub for educational innovation to drive large-scale change and catalyse strategic collaboration.
President Boey added that CityUHK had been actively integrating cutting-edge technology into higher education, promoting a “learning-centric” education framework and striving to create a more inspiring and interactive learning environment. He emphasised that by focusing on the four I’s – Institutional, Inspirational, Interactive and Innovative Learning – the University aims to embed student-centric education throughout its teaching activities, ensuring that its students receive not just a degree, but a comprehensive educational experience.
Several international technology companies and educational institutions attended the ceremony, including Alibaba Cloud, Beijing Galaxy Intelligence Learning Technology (GalaxyIL), Microsoft Hong Kong, Tencent Cloud and the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers (HKFEW), to celebrate the establishment of the Institute.
During the ceremony, CityUHK signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with four collaborating institutions, demonstrating the industry’s high recognition and support for the IFL. The MoUs were signed by Professor Lee Chun-sing, Provost and Deputy President of CityUHK, and representatives from the four organisations: Dr Wang Zhuo, CEO of GalaxyIL, Mr Fred Sheu, National Technology Officer of Microsoft Hong Kong, Mr Yang Hui, Vice President of Tencent Cloud and Head of Tencent Education Solutions, and Mr Wong Kam-leung, Chairman of HKFEW. The signings were witnessed by President Boey.
In his address, Professor Ray Cheung Chak-chung, Director of the IFL, expressed his gratitude to all parties, particularly the collaborating institutions, for their support, which will enable the Institute to transform its vision for future education into reality. He emphasised that future learning will encompass more than technology. More importantly, it will involve collaboration across sectors to provide solutions for students, empowering them with technological knowledge and skills and nurturing their ability to collaborate with empathy and innovative with purpose to address real-world challenges.
In addition, several Legislative Council members and CityUHK representatives, including
Professor Anderson Shum Ho-cheung, Vice-President (Research), Professor Li Wen Jung, Vice-President (Talent and International Strategy), and Miss Maggie Chau, Vice-President (Administration) attended the ceremony.
Media enquiries:
Julian Ng, Communications and Institutional Research Office, CityUHK (Tel: 3442 2569)