Professor Freddy Boey CityUHK President and University Distinguished Professor honoured by Tianjin University
Professor Freddy Boey, CityUHK President and University Distinguished Professor, was conferred an Honorary Doctoral Degree by Tianjin University in recognition of his outstanding contributions to academia and research, and his dedication to promoting innovation and internationalisation in higher education globally.
The honorary doctorate conferment ceremony, held at Tianjin University, was hosted by Professor Chai Liyuan, President of Tianjin University. Professor Chai commended President Boey for his groundbreaking research in biodegradable implants and drug delivery systems, which have expanded the frontiers of knowledge and yielded tangible benefits to global health development.
He noted President Boey’s enduring dedication to promoting global collaboration in higher education, fostering cross-regional and interdisciplinary academic and research efforts, and setting a model for translating research outcomes into positive real-world impacts.
In his acceptance speech, President Boey said that this honorary degree was both a personal honour and a significant moment in his academic journey. He expressed his aspiration to continue to foster international collaboration nurture future leaders worldwide.
“Collaboration is the lifeblood of higher education. In today’s interconnected world, international cooperation in higher education is more important than ever,” said President Boey. “As educators and researchers, we have a responsibility to equip our students with the skills and knowledge they need to navigate an increasingly complex world, and partnerships are essential in fulfilling this mission.”
He added that CityUHK and Tianjin University shared an aligned vision for education and would continue to contribute to global academic and research knowledge exchange. “At CityUHK, we view collaboration not just as a strategy, but also as a responsibility—to our students, our communities, and the global society we serve,” he remarked.
In May 2023, President Boey assumed the role of CityUHK President, leading the University toward internationalisation, with the strategic development framework "I In-No-VA-TE". Under his leadership, CityUHK has emerged as a forward-looking, innovative academic institution that addresses global challenges and opportunities, responds proactively to societal needs, and fosters an entrepreneurial spirit.
CityUHK has been ranked among the top 100 globally in major university rankings. It was named the "Most International University in the World" by Times Higher Education (THE) for two consecutive years in 2024 and 2025; it was ranked in the top 10 in Asia in the 2025 QS Asia University Rankings; and it entered the top 100 globally for the first time in the ShanghaiRanking’s Academic Ranking of World Universities, ranking second in Hong Kong.
President Boey has actively promoted a “learning-centric” education framework, dedicated to creating a vibrant and innovative learning environment. Over the past two years, he has established several research institutes and colleges at CityUHK: the Academy of Innovation, the Institute of Digital Medicine, the Hong Kong Institute of AI for Science, the Institute for Materials Innovation, and the Institute of Future Learning. These initiatives foster interdisciplinary collaboration and ensure that CityUHK students do not just receive a degree, but are also nurtured into resilient, creative and socially responsible global citizens.
Before becoming CityUHK President, President Boey served as Deputy President (Innovation & Enterprise) at the National University of Singapore (NUS), Provost of Nanyang Technological University (NTU), and Chair of the School of Materials Science and Engineering of NTU. During his seven years at NTU, he improved the university’s ranking by 63 places in the QS World University Rankings, propelling it to become the top university in Asia in 2017.
President Boey has also received numerous international accolades, earning widespread recognition in academia and research. In 2013, he was conferred Singapore’s highest Scientific Award, the President’s Science and Technology Medal for lifetime achievement, and the prestigious Imperial College London Faculty of Medicine Fellow award. In 2014, he received Singapore’s President’s Technology Award for successfully developing nanostructure technology for drug delivery systems. In 2016, he was awarded the Singapore National Day Public Administration Gold Medal. Additionally, Professor Boey was conferred an Honorary Doctorate from Loughborough University in England and received Honorary professorships from the University of Indonesia, Nanjing Postal and Telecom University, and Nanjing Technological University.
Tianjin University, established in 1895 as Peiyang University, was China’s first modern university. It celebrated its 130th anniversary this year. As one of the world’s leading research universities, Tianjin University has maintained a student-centred approach for over a century, focusing on nurturing exceptional talent with a sense of national pride, a global perspective, an innovative spirit, practical skills and the ability to lead into the future.
Media enquiries:
Julian Ng, Communications and Institutional Research Office, CityUHK (Tel: 3442 2569)
The honorary doctorate conferment ceremony, held at Tianjin University, was hosted by Professor Chai Liyuan, President of Tianjin University. Professor Chai commended President Boey for his groundbreaking research in biodegradable implants and drug delivery systems, which have expanded the frontiers of knowledge and yielded tangible benefits to global health development.
He noted President Boey’s enduring dedication to promoting global collaboration in higher education, fostering cross-regional and interdisciplinary academic and research efforts, and setting a model for translating research outcomes into positive real-world impacts.
In his acceptance speech, President Boey said that this honorary degree was both a personal honour and a significant moment in his academic journey. He expressed his aspiration to continue to foster international collaboration nurture future leaders worldwide.
“Collaboration is the lifeblood of higher education. In today’s interconnected world, international cooperation in higher education is more important than ever,” said President Boey. “As educators and researchers, we have a responsibility to equip our students with the skills and knowledge they need to navigate an increasingly complex world, and partnerships are essential in fulfilling this mission.”
He added that CityUHK and Tianjin University shared an aligned vision for education and would continue to contribute to global academic and research knowledge exchange. “At CityUHK, we view collaboration not just as a strategy, but also as a responsibility—to our students, our communities, and the global society we serve,” he remarked.
In May 2023, President Boey assumed the role of CityUHK President, leading the University toward internationalisation, with the strategic development framework "I In-No-VA-TE". Under his leadership, CityUHK has emerged as a forward-looking, innovative academic institution that addresses global challenges and opportunities, responds proactively to societal needs, and fosters an entrepreneurial spirit.
CityUHK has been ranked among the top 100 globally in major university rankings. It was named the "Most International University in the World" by Times Higher Education (THE) for two consecutive years in 2024 and 2025; it was ranked in the top 10 in Asia in the 2025 QS Asia University Rankings; and it entered the top 100 globally for the first time in the ShanghaiRanking’s Academic Ranking of World Universities, ranking second in Hong Kong.
President Boey has actively promoted a “learning-centric” education framework, dedicated to creating a vibrant and innovative learning environment. Over the past two years, he has established several research institutes and colleges at CityUHK: the Academy of Innovation, the Institute of Digital Medicine, the Hong Kong Institute of AI for Science, the Institute for Materials Innovation, and the Institute of Future Learning. These initiatives foster interdisciplinary collaboration and ensure that CityUHK students do not just receive a degree, but are also nurtured into resilient, creative and socially responsible global citizens.
Before becoming CityUHK President, President Boey served as Deputy President (Innovation & Enterprise) at the National University of Singapore (NUS), Provost of Nanyang Technological University (NTU), and Chair of the School of Materials Science and Engineering of NTU. During his seven years at NTU, he improved the university’s ranking by 63 places in the QS World University Rankings, propelling it to become the top university in Asia in 2017.
President Boey has also received numerous international accolades, earning widespread recognition in academia and research. In 2013, he was conferred Singapore’s highest Scientific Award, the President’s Science and Technology Medal for lifetime achievement, and the prestigious Imperial College London Faculty of Medicine Fellow award. In 2014, he received Singapore’s President’s Technology Award for successfully developing nanostructure technology for drug delivery systems. In 2016, he was awarded the Singapore National Day Public Administration Gold Medal. Additionally, Professor Boey was conferred an Honorary Doctorate from Loughborough University in England and received Honorary professorships from the University of Indonesia, Nanjing Postal and Telecom University, and Nanjing Technological University.
Tianjin University, established in 1895 as Peiyang University, was China’s first modern university. It celebrated its 130th anniversary this year. As one of the world’s leading research universities, Tianjin University has maintained a student-centred approach for over a century, focusing on nurturing exceptional talent with a sense of national pride, a global perspective, an innovative spirit, practical skills and the ability to lead into the future.
Media enquiries:
Julian Ng, Communications and Institutional Research Office, CityUHK (Tel: 3442 2569)