The
University of Hong Kong, founded in 1911 to take over from the Hong Kong
College of Medicine (established in 1887), is the oldest tertiary
institution in Hong Kong. From the modest beginning of only two
faculties, the University has grown to embrace almost all major areas of
teaching and research. The University currently has 10 faculties and a
total student population of over 22,000, of which about 2,500 are from
overseas. 59% are enrolled in undergraduate programmes, 29% in taught
masters programmes and 12% in research degree programmes. They are
served by a teaching staff of 1,985 of which over half are international
faculty.
The University’s ethos of providing “outstanding teaching and
world-class research” and its international outlook is signified by its
Coat of Arms. It features two Chinese phrases from Confucius:
“Illustrious Virtue” and “The investigation of things,” combined with
the Latin motto “Sapientia et Virtus” meaning “wisdom and virtue.”
As Hong Kong’s pre-eminent research university, the University of Hong
Kong receives a large proportion of government research grants. In
particular, its strength in scientific research is internationally
recognised. The University’s Faculty of Medicine, for instance,
consolidated its international reputation when its pioneering influenza
research team identified the coronavirus that triggered the 2003 SARS
epidemic.
The University’s international outreach is reflected in numerous joint
initiatives, student mobility and academic programs with overseas
institutions. It has more than 150 exchange partners in the world with
over 1,200 students on exchange programs this year. It is a founding
member of Universitas 21, an international consortium of research-led
universities; its well-regarded MBA program has announced partnerships
with the London Business School and Columbia Business School, giving
students the opportunity to take classes in London and New York; and it
hosts the world’s first World Trade Organisation (WTO) Regional Training
Centre in Asia, providing cross disciplinary training for governmental
officers from the region.
The University has major expansion plans as it approaches its centennial
year in the form of a new Centennial Campus. Due to be completed in 2011
at the cost of over £170 million, the additional 42,000 m²
state-of-the-art campus will allow the University to enhance its
teaching and research facilities as well as increase its student numbers
by over 3,000 in preparation for the introduction of a four-year degree
structure in 2012.
The Universitas 21 Contact Manager at the University of Hong Kong is
Katherine Wan, Programme
Director, Office of International Student Exchange.