As further detailed in section 3.2 below, CityU has already achieved international positioning in certain areas of excellence. Building on these achievements, our ambition for the future is to be the best university in Hong Kong and a leader in interdisciplinary research and education at both regional and global levels. Accordingly, we intend to:

• Deliver high-quality fundamental and technology-driven professional education
• Conduct high-impact research in science and technology that transforms society and the economy
• Excel in the following strategic interdisciplinary areas
  • One Health: Interdisciplinary, problem-based research collaborations and communications in all aspects of health-related issues involving the complex interactions and inter-dependencies of animal and human populations with each other and the environment to generate better health outcomes
  • Digital Society: Digital Society: The understanding of the relationship between technology and society, informed by the humanities, natural sciences and social sciences, involving vigorous interdisciplinary research leading to substantial knowledge transfer activities
  • Smart City: A cross-cutting theme that, among diverse disciplines and programmes leading to innovative solutions to address regional and global concerns, encompasses such challenges as sustainable energy, climate change, environmental degradation, urban planning, government regulation and the law
  • Matter: The interdisciplinary study of matter (or materials) in its various forms, involving researchers from all the natural sciences in the collaborative development of science, engineering and technology, aims to provide an impetus to innovation through practical applications in various disciplines and fields
  • Brain: An interdisciplinary field covering biology, neuroscience, medicine, psychology, computer science and linguistics to study the human brain and the computer brain for a deep understanding of the potential of the human–machine interface as well as creating significant improvements in productivity

1. Excellence Targets

• Top 10 in subject areas with more than 750 programmes globally and top 5 in subject areas with fewer than 750 programmes globally
• Top in Hong Kong in faculty hiring (excellence in research and teaching), student recruitment and student employability

2. Education

• Delivering innovative curricula for cross-disciplinary research and education
• Integrating all of the disciplines at CityU — business, engineering, liberal arts, social sciences, science, veterinary medicine, life sciences, creative media, data science, energy, environment and law — within one overarching interdisciplinary framework
• Equipping students with the skills required for the future professional working environment: creativity, critical and systems thinking, and adaptive learning; and helping develop students’ social responsibility and contribution to the public good

3. Research

• Promoting diversity in disciplinary and methodological approaches that contribute to creating a better world
• Establishing a world-recognised high-impact dissemination platform for interdisciplinary research
• Establishing appropriate procedures to recognise and reward interdisciplinary research and education

4. Strategic Directions

• Making CityU a renowned name brand
• Success in commercialisation, especially in the Greater Bay Area
• Deep collaboration with Mainland China
• Positioning for a school for medical research

• National and local policy support and resources
• Resources in space, funding and talent in:
  • Mainland China, providing multiple locations for campus development
  • Greater Bay Area, including a school for medical research focusing on biomedical sciences, neuroscience and engineering
  • Hong Kong, including a teaching hospital, external funding and support from alumni
  • Foundations/trusts
• Internal:
  • Redefining institutional structure and collaborations
  • Sharing resources, including major facilities, and creative solutions to space constraints
  • Technology and facilities to support strategic directions including development beyond Hong Kong
  • Appropriate budget to facilitate advancement towards measurable goals
  • Research funding gained by faculty through successful applications to government, industry and international bodies

This 25-year roadmap is designed to guide us in building on CityU’s existing strengths to continue on our trajectory towards being a world-class university and to create a lasting social and economic legacy, based on scholarship and applicable knowledge, for future generations to enjoy and to further contribute to the betterment of society.