University of Hong Kong

Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong
Switchboard: (852) 2859 2111
Fax: (852) 2858 2549
Email: cpao@hku.hk
Website: www.hku.hk

About the University of Hong Kong

University of Hong KongEstablished in 1911, the University of Hong Kong (HKU) is the territory's oldest university, and has grown with and helped shape the city from which it takes its name.

Today, HKU is a dynamic, comprehensive university of world-class standing. Its reputation for academic and research excellence is recognised around the world, and it continues to build on its strengths with innovative research and teaching.

HKU was ranked the 21st top university in the world and the best in Asia in the 2010-11 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings. It was also ranked 23rd in the world and, again, best in Asia in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2010.

The university consistently admits the best students in Hong Kong, is host to over 6,500 students from around the world and more than half of its teachers are international faculty. In addition to this international perspective, HKU also recognises the importance of regional engagement. One of the university's strengths is its position as a gateway to Mainland China and its close academic connections with colleagues and institutions across the border.

Rankings

  • QS 2010: 23
  • THE 2010: 21
  • THE 2009: 24
  • THE 2008: 26
  • SJT 2010: 201-300
  • SJT 2009: 201-302
  • SJT 2008: 201-302

Landmark buildings

  • The Main Building (1912)
  • Eliot Hall (1914)
  • May Hall (1915)
  • Hung Hing Ying Building (1919)
  • Tang Chi Ngong Building (1931)
  • Fung Ping Shan Building (1933)
  • University Hall, originally Douglas Castle (1860)
  • Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Sassoon Road Complex (2002)

International partnerships

HKU is a founding member of the international university network, Universitas 21, and has academic links with more than 300 universities and academic or research institutes in 25 different countries. For instance, HKU has LLB joint degree programmes with UBC in Law, PhD degrees with King's College London, and EMBA programmes with the London Business School and Columbia University.

Famous academics

  • 110 HKU scientists rank among the top 1% in their fields globally (Institute for Science Information)
  • 11 HKU academics admitted to the Chinese Academy of Sciences
  • 5 HKU academics admitted to the Chinese Academy of Engineering

Notable research areas

  • Frontier Technology: Genomics, Drug, Nano-biotechnology, Computational Sciences and Information Technology
  • Environment: Clean Energy, Sustainable Environment, and Molecular Materials
  • China: China-West Studies, Contemporary China, and China Business & Economics
  • Biomedicine: Infection & Immunology, Development & Reproduction, Healthy Ageing, Cancer, and Biomedical Engineering
  • Community: Public Health, 'Law, Policy & Development', and Sciences of Learning

Most significant research breakthrough in the last 12 months

For the most current details of research impact and innovations at HKU, please go to http://hku.hk/research/index.html

Mission

The University of Hong Kong will endeavour:

  • To advance constantly the bounds of scholarship, building upon its proud traditions and strengths
  • To provide a comprehensive education, developing fully the intellectual and personal strengths of its students while developing and extending lifelong learning opportunities for the community
  • To produce graduates of distinction committed to lifelong learning, integrity and professionalism, capable of being responsive leaders and communicators in their fields
  • To develop a collegial, flexible, pluralistic and supportive intellectual environment that inspires and attracts, retains and nurtures scholars, students and staff of the highest calibre in a culture that fosters creativity, learning and freedom of thought, enquiry and expression
  • To provide a safe, healthy and sustainable workplace to support and advance teaching, learning and research at the University
  • To engage in innovative, high-impact and leading-edge research within and across disciplines
  • To be fully accountable for the effective management of public and private resources bestowed upon the institution and act in partnership with the community over the generation, dissemination and application of knowledge
  • To serve as a focal point of intellectual and academic endeavour in Hong Kong, China and Asia and act as a gateway and forum for scholarship with the rest of the world

Vision

The University of Hong Kong, as a leading international institution of higher learning in Asia, strives to attract and nurture outstanding scholars from around the world through excellence and innovation in teaching and learning, research and knowledge exchange, contributing to the advancement of society and the development of leaders through a global presence, regional significance and engagement with the rest of China.

Student profile

  • Undergraduate students: over 11,500
  • Postgraduate students: over 10,500
  • International and mainland students: over 6,300