Chairman of Council awarded Honorary Professorship by Satbayev University

Helen Mok, Sunny Liu

13 Oct 2025

Professor Ngai is awarded an Honorary Professorship.

Today (13 October), Professor Michael Ngai, Chairman of Council of City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), was bestowed with an Honorary Professorship by Satbayev University in Kazakhstan, the country’s oldest university and the top-ranked institution by Independent Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (IQAA).

This prestigious honour recognises his pivotal role and excellent contribution in advancing CityUHK’s collaborations with institutions across the Belt and Road region, particularly in the realms of teaching, research, and academic exchange.

During a special meeting of the Academic Council at Satbayev University, Rector Meiram Begentayev officiated the conferment of the Honorary Professorship. Ms Huang Xiaomin, Education Consul, Consulate General of People's Republic of China in Almaty, also attended the conferment ceremony.

Satbayev University holds a special meeting of the Academic Council, during which the conferment for the Honorary Professorship also takes place.

Professor Ngai

Rector Begentayev praised Professor Ngai as an exceptional leader with remarkable foresight and expressed a strong desire to further enhance collaboration with CityUHK under his leadership. Together, they aim to foster innovation and internationalisation, nurturing future talents with a global outlook.

Professor Ngai remarked that this accolade not only affirms his personal achievements but also signifies the international community’s recognition of CityUHK’s dedication to internationalisation, especially in forging partnerships with Belt and Road countries. He emphasised, “CityUHK will continue to serve as a vital bridge connecting the Nation, Asia, and the wider world, facilitating profound exchanges among top global scholars and elite students, and working collectively towards a brighter future.

Professor Ngai assumed the role of Chairman of Council of CityUHK on 1 January 2025 and has since been instrumental in deepening collaborations with numerous top universities worldwide. This includes strengthening partnerships with esteemed institutions such as the University of Cambridge, thereby expanding CityUHK’s global influence and enhancing its leadership position on the international academic stage.

Under Professor Ngai’s stewardship, CityUHK has achieved significant breakthroughs in Belt and Road countries this year. The establishment of the CityUHK Institute for Research and Innovation at Satbayev University marks a major milestone under the Belt and Road Initiative. Furthermore, Professor Ngai has led senior university management on multiple visits to the Ministries of Education in Kuwait, Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and other countries, opening up promising new avenues for cooperation.