CityUHK welcomes Hong Kong’s Five-Year Plan and Policy Address; Leveraging internationalisation and frontier research strengths to support the Northern Metropolis and build an international hub for I&T and talent
City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) welcomes the forward-looking development strategies and policy initiatives outlined in the First Five-Year Plan for the Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026–2030) (Hong Kong’s Five-Year Plan) and the Chief Executive’s 2026 Policy Address released today (16 September). CityUHK will fully align with the policy blueprint of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR Government) and continue to leverage its strengths in internationalised education, deep-tech research and innovation translation. By driving the integrated development of education, technology and talent, the University aims to support Hong Kong’s aspiration to become an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre and an international hub for high-calibre talent, and inject strong momentum into the development of the Northern Metropolis.
Supporting the Northern Metropolis University Town (NMUT) and the “Study in Hong Kong” brand by leveraging the strength of “The Most International University in the World” and attracting global talent
To fully align with the Government’s strategic vision of advancing the Northern Metropolis, developing the NMUT, and establishing the “Study in Hong Kong” brand, CityUHK is capitalising on its strong internationalisation advantages in education to contribute to these key initiatives. Named the Most International University in the World by Times Higher Education (THE) for three consecutive years, CityUHK has actively supported the “Study in Hong Kong” brand. This academic year, the University admitted more than 1,000 international students, reaching a 10-year high. CityUHK has established partnerships with over 400 leading institutions worldwide and has actively expanded collaboration with countries along the Belt and Road. The University has also strategically strengthened its engagement with Central Asia. CityUHK was the first university in Hong Kong to establish partnerships with Kazakhstan and has remained the local university with the largest number of Kazakhstani students for four consecutive years, contributing to Hong Kong’s efforts to attract high-calibre talent from around the world. CityUHK will continue to bring together top local and global scholars, deepen international science and research collaboration and student exchange, thereby further enhancing Hong Kong’s global standing in higher education. Through these efforts, the University is committed to supporting Hong Kong’s development as an international hub for high-calibre talent.
Leveraging the “dual base” advantage to empower the Northern Metropolis through world-class research platforms and advanced computing capabilities
To respond to the policy direction of leveraging the “dual base” advantage presented by the State Key Laboratories in Hong Kong and InnoHK Research Clusters, CityUHK will continue to strengthen fundamental research and develop world-class research platforms. The University hosts two State Key Laboratories: the State Key Laboratory of Terahertz and Millimeter Waves and the State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Health. Furthermore, CityUHK has been selected to participate in the Government’s third InnoHK research cluster, SEAM@InnoHK. Through this initiative, the University has partnered with the University of Cambridge to establish the Centre for Advanced and Smart Manufacturing (CASM) and with the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) to establish the Sustainable Materials & Advanced Renewable Technologies Centre (SMART Centre). In addition, Hong Kong’s first quantum computer is set to be housed at CityUHK within the year, providing cutting-edge computing power and technological support for innovation and future industries in the Northern Metropolis. CityUHK will continue to drive the growth of national-level and global research hubs, advance the innovation of cutting-edge technologies, and fully empower the I&T development and future industrial development in the Northern Metropolis.
Advancing industry-academia-research synergistic development and building a university-industry translation ecosystem
The Hong Kong Five-Year Plan calls for building a robust foundation for developing Hong Kong into an international I&T centre, while establishing a global industry-academia-research collaborative innovation platform. In support of this strategic vision, CityUHK strives to build an industry-academia-research innovation chain and a university-industry ecosystem. Launched in 2021, HK Tech 300, the University’s flagship innovation and entrepreneurship programme, has incubated more than 1,000 start-up teams. Its ecosystem now spans 16 cities across the Chinese Mainland, including Beijing and Shanghai, as well as countries in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand, and even extends to Europe, including Hungary. This is the largest university-based innovation and entrepreneurship platform of its kind in Asia. The initiative not only translates CityUHK’s research outcomes and intellectual property into practical applications, but also injects continuous innovative momentum into the region.
Aligning with key national strategies in technology, establishing advanced institutes to accelerate technology translation
The Hong Kong Five-Year Plan emphasises the alignment with key national strategies in technology, focusing on core technologies such as life and health, AI and robotics, microelectronics, new energy, advanced manufacturing and new materials. Over the past two years, CityUHK has established several new institutes to address contemporary needs. These include the CityUHK Academy of Innovation, the Institute of Digital Medicine, the Institute for Materials Innovation, the Hong Kong Institute of AI for Science, the College of Biomedicine, and the College of Computing. Together, these initiatives advance interdisciplinary education and research, artificial intelligence (AI) and deep-tech innovation, while aligning with national strategic priorities and evolving market demands.
In education, CityUHK will actively support the Government’s strategy to advance digital education by continuously enhancing teaching effectiveness and expanding the application of innovative technologies in learning and teaching, equipping students with the skills and capabilities needed to navigate future opportunities and challenges. At the same time, the University remains committed to whole-person development, placing strong emphasis on values education. Through nurturing students with both virtue and ability, an affection for our country and Hong Kong, cultural confidence, proper values, and a global perspective, CityUHK strives to cultivate the next generation of talent and contribute to building a diverse and competitive talent pool for Hong Kong and the nation.
Looking ahead, CityUHK will continue to build on its strengths in internationalised education, interdisciplinary research and innovation commercialisation, fully supporting the HKSAR Government’s vision for the Five-Year Plan and the development of the Northern Metropolis. The University will work with partners in various sectors to advance Hong Kong as a global hub for education, research and innovation. CityUHK firmly believes that with its unique advantage of being “backed by the motherland and connected to the world,” the HKSAR’s higher education sector is well positioned to seize future opportunities and together with society, embrace a more prosperous future.
Media enquiries:
Sunny Liu, Communications and Institutional Research Office, CityUHK (Tel: 3442 9322 )
Venus Doon, Communications and Institutional Research Office, CityUHK (Tel: 3442 6377)
Supporting the Northern Metropolis University Town (NMUT) and the “Study in Hong Kong” brand by leveraging the strength of “The Most International University in the World” and attracting global talent
To fully align with the Government’s strategic vision of advancing the Northern Metropolis, developing the NMUT, and establishing the “Study in Hong Kong” brand, CityUHK is capitalising on its strong internationalisation advantages in education to contribute to these key initiatives. Named the Most International University in the World by Times Higher Education (THE) for three consecutive years, CityUHK has actively supported the “Study in Hong Kong” brand. This academic year, the University admitted more than 1,000 international students, reaching a 10-year high. CityUHK has established partnerships with over 400 leading institutions worldwide and has actively expanded collaboration with countries along the Belt and Road. The University has also strategically strengthened its engagement with Central Asia. CityUHK was the first university in Hong Kong to establish partnerships with Kazakhstan and has remained the local university with the largest number of Kazakhstani students for four consecutive years, contributing to Hong Kong’s efforts to attract high-calibre talent from around the world. CityUHK will continue to bring together top local and global scholars, deepen international science and research collaboration and student exchange, thereby further enhancing Hong Kong’s global standing in higher education. Through these efforts, the University is committed to supporting Hong Kong’s development as an international hub for high-calibre talent.
Leveraging the “dual base” advantage to empower the Northern Metropolis through world-class research platforms and advanced computing capabilities
To respond to the policy direction of leveraging the “dual base” advantage presented by the State Key Laboratories in Hong Kong and InnoHK Research Clusters, CityUHK will continue to strengthen fundamental research and develop world-class research platforms. The University hosts two State Key Laboratories: the State Key Laboratory of Terahertz and Millimeter Waves and the State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Health. Furthermore, CityUHK has been selected to participate in the Government’s third InnoHK research cluster, SEAM@InnoHK. Through this initiative, the University has partnered with the University of Cambridge to establish the Centre for Advanced and Smart Manufacturing (CASM) and with the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) to establish the Sustainable Materials & Advanced Renewable Technologies Centre (SMART Centre). In addition, Hong Kong’s first quantum computer is set to be housed at CityUHK within the year, providing cutting-edge computing power and technological support for innovation and future industries in the Northern Metropolis. CityUHK will continue to drive the growth of national-level and global research hubs, advance the innovation of cutting-edge technologies, and fully empower the I&T development and future industrial development in the Northern Metropolis.
Advancing industry-academia-research synergistic development and building a university-industry translation ecosystem
The Hong Kong Five-Year Plan calls for building a robust foundation for developing Hong Kong into an international I&T centre, while establishing a global industry-academia-research collaborative innovation platform. In support of this strategic vision, CityUHK strives to build an industry-academia-research innovation chain and a university-industry ecosystem. Launched in 2021, HK Tech 300, the University’s flagship innovation and entrepreneurship programme, has incubated more than 1,000 start-up teams. Its ecosystem now spans 16 cities across the Chinese Mainland, including Beijing and Shanghai, as well as countries in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand, and even extends to Europe, including Hungary. This is the largest university-based innovation and entrepreneurship platform of its kind in Asia. The initiative not only translates CityUHK’s research outcomes and intellectual property into practical applications, but also injects continuous innovative momentum into the region.
Aligning with key national strategies in technology, establishing advanced institutes to accelerate technology translation
The Hong Kong Five-Year Plan emphasises the alignment with key national strategies in technology, focusing on core technologies such as life and health, AI and robotics, microelectronics, new energy, advanced manufacturing and new materials. Over the past two years, CityUHK has established several new institutes to address contemporary needs. These include the CityUHK Academy of Innovation, the Institute of Digital Medicine, the Institute for Materials Innovation, the Hong Kong Institute of AI for Science, the College of Biomedicine, and the College of Computing. Together, these initiatives advance interdisciplinary education and research, artificial intelligence (AI) and deep-tech innovation, while aligning with national strategic priorities and evolving market demands.
In education, CityUHK will actively support the Government’s strategy to advance digital education by continuously enhancing teaching effectiveness and expanding the application of innovative technologies in learning and teaching, equipping students with the skills and capabilities needed to navigate future opportunities and challenges. At the same time, the University remains committed to whole-person development, placing strong emphasis on values education. Through nurturing students with both virtue and ability, an affection for our country and Hong Kong, cultural confidence, proper values, and a global perspective, CityUHK strives to cultivate the next generation of talent and contribute to building a diverse and competitive talent pool for Hong Kong and the nation.
Looking ahead, CityUHK will continue to build on its strengths in internationalised education, interdisciplinary research and innovation commercialisation, fully supporting the HKSAR Government’s vision for the Five-Year Plan and the development of the Northern Metropolis. The University will work with partners in various sectors to advance Hong Kong as a global hub for education, research and innovation. CityUHK firmly believes that with its unique advantage of being “backed by the motherland and connected to the world,” the HKSAR’s higher education sector is well positioned to seize future opportunities and together with society, embrace a more prosperous future.
Media enquiries:
Sunny Liu, Communications and Institutional Research Office, CityUHK (Tel: 3442 9322 )
Venus Doon, Communications and Institutional Research Office, CityUHK (Tel: 3442 6377)