Happy Birthday, CityUHK!

By : Michael Gibb, Cathy Choi, Jessica Leung

The theme of the 30th anniversary celebrations, “Innovating into the Future”, highlights our dedication to pioneering research and innovative solutions that address pressing global challenges, contributing significantly to Hong Kong, the mainland and the world.

The anniversary logo features a distinct colour scheme, transitioning gradually from orange to burgundy, symbolising the celebration of CityUHK’s achievements and success over the past 30 years.

Join us in celebrating 30 years of excellence and innovating into the future!

I am filled with pride that City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) has reached its 30th anniversary in such a dynamic manner. Like our city, Hong Kong, CityUHK bustles with energy, relentlessly pursuing excellence and knowledge for the well-being and advancement of society and the region. Together with the people of Hong Kong, we celebrate reaching this milestone because it reflects the can-do attitude that we are famed for and encapsulates our boldness when confronted with challenges.

We truly stand on the shoulders of giants. We have been successful because of wise leadership, excellent students, talented professors, diligent staff, incredible alumni groups, and our friends and stakeholders in Hong Kong, the region and further afield. Our CityUHK family has grown stronger and bolder over the past three decades, and I am confident that the next 30 years will be even more exciting.

Looking back over my long association with CityUHK, I appreciate that I have been blessed. Witnessing one of the great success stories in higher education has been one of the highlights of my career. For example, CityUHK was recently ranked as one of the top 100 universities and the most international university in the world.

These are crowning achievements and make us all very proud to be part of City University of Hong Kong.

I am delighted to serve as Chairman of the Council in our anniversary year. It has been a great honour for me to be involved with City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK). Our unwavering dedication to academic excellence and groundbreaking, innovative research over the past 30 years has been inspiring to witness, and looking to the future, I would like to encourage the entire CityUHK community to continue to strive for excellence and positively impact society and the world.

The events planned for the anniversary year genuinely reflect the diverse values that we hold close to our hearts at CityUHK. We began the celebrations by marking the launch of the CityUHK Academy of Innovation, and we will host a major academic conference, a cultural exchange, a community-oriented exhibition, an alumni day, a banquet and several arts events.

The University’s milestones are many. Over the past 30 years, we have left an indelible mark on the higher education landscape both locally and globally. Always far-sighted, our firsts for Hong Kong include the School of Creative Media, the School of Energy and Environment, the Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, the School of Data Science, and the Hong Kong Institute for Data Science.

Moreover, we have expanded our campus, constructing new buildings, hostels, labs and classrooms. We have established a solid footprint in the mainland through research initiatives and, of course, our new Dongguan campus. And our rankings have maintained a stellar trajectory, placing us among some of the world’s top academic institutions.

CityUHK has always provided a stimulating environment in which to learn and conduct research, and we look forward to more successes with our One Health Summit, and the opening of the Jockey Club One Health Tower and the CityUHK International Centre.

The Chinese saying “三十而立‬” translates as “At the age of 30, one should stand firm”, a principle applicable to City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK). Over the past 30 years, CityUHK has established itself as a world-leading university with a reputation that has grown exponentially across the globe.

Our 30th anniversary milestone reflects the dramatic levels of growth, progress and innovation that have shaped our remarkable journey.

We remain steadfast in our commitment to fostering inspirational, interactive and innovative education, and we emphasise that universities serve as powerhouses for cultivating talent, advancing knowledge and driving innovation, all of which are crucial for societal and economic development.

By innovating into the future, CityUHK continues to establish and develop as a robust and scholarly institution dedicated to nurturing young talent, enabling us to contribute to Hong Kong, the mainland and the world through groundbreaking research into some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

As part of our celebrations, we designed a new-look logo that encapsulates our transformation and growth. The fresh design conveys a more youthful and dynamic visual image, which reflects our evolution and commitment to academic excellence and innovation.

The events for our anniversary celebrations began in January 2024, highlighting our accomplishments, exceptional students, world-class research, and extensive local and international network of friends and supporters, all of whom have contributed to CityUHK’s standing as an outstanding higher education institution.

It is heartening to see so many joining together to reflect on our past, present and future and to dedicate themselves to innovating into the future.

Celebrating a legacy of innovation and growth

City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) launched its 30th anniversary celebrations on 11 January 2024, marking three decades of its university status. The event was attended by 400 guests, including Council and Court members, alumni, and HK Tech 300 community supporters.

The ceremony was officiated by Dr Chung Shui-ming, Pro-Chancellor; Mr Lester Garson Huang, Chairman of the Council; Ms Lilian Chiang Sui-fook, Deputy Council Chairman; Mr Charles Chin Ying-on, Treasurer of the Council; Dr Eugene Chan Kin-keung, Chairman of the Council’s Community Relations Committee; Professor Freddy Boey, President; Professor Herman Hu Shao-ming and Dr Harry Banga, Honorary Advisors for the 30th Anniversary Celebration; and Professor Chan Chi-hou, Vice-President (Community Engagement) and Chairperson of 30th Anniversary Organising Committee. Dr Yeung Kin-man will serve as Honorary Advisor for the year-long festivities.

Mr Huang delivered a passionate speech about CityUHK’s remarkable achievements and future development plans, emphasising its dedication to academic excellence and innovative research. He urged the CityUHK community to continue to strive for excellence and make a positive societal impact.

President Boey stated that the 30th-anniversary milestone reflected CityUHK’s growth, progress and innovation. He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to fostering inspirational, interactive and innovative education.

The theme of the 30th anniversary celebrations, “Innovating into the Future”, encapsulates CityUHK’s commitment to nurturing talent through innovation and pioneering research that addresses global challenges.

The year-long celebrations will feature activities highlighting CityUHK’s accomplishments, exceptional students, world-class research and extensive networks. These activities include international research conferences, the completion and opening of new buildings, engagement with the local community, student performances and alumni homecoming day.

For more information on the 30th-anniversary celebrations, please visit: https://www.cityu.edu.hk/cityu30th/.

Igniting the entrepreneurial flame

The establishment of CityUHK Academy of Innovation (CAI) marks the beginning of a year-long celebration and showcases CityUHK’s unwavering dedication to innovation and entrepreneurship.

The CAI is a testament to CityUHK’s dedication to fostering a vibrant ecosystem that nurtures young entrepreneurs, incubates deep-tech start-ups, and promotes university-industry collaboration, both locally and internationally.

Academy Advisors were appointed at the ceremony.

The CAI welcomed the appointment of Adjunct and Visiting Professors.

 

The CAI is building on the success of the HK Tech 300 programme, a groundbreaking initiative that has received overwhelming support from the CityUHK community and society at large. The programme has empowered thousands of students and faculty members to translate innovative ideas and research achievements into practical applications through the establishment of tech start-ups. The CAI is set to take this success to new heights, further cementing CityUHK’s position as a leader in innovation and entrepreneurship.

The CAI will offer a comprehensive range of innovative academic programmes, designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world.