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Welcome to the eleventh edition of CUHK in Focus.
As you will be aware, this week marks the soft launch of CUHK’s brand refresh, which comes as the University prepares to celebrate its 60th anniversary next year.
The University has received valuable feedback from across our community of staff, students, alumni and members of the general public. The University has heard you and highly values your commitment to CUHK. We will continue to solicit your views in what we hope will be a positive dialogue with the University in the lead up to our diamond jubilee. Over the coming weeks and months, the University will redouble its efforts to listen to stakeholder opinions and give our community an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the proposed refresh.
Accordingly, CUHK will slowly and progressively make these changes while engaging our community and explaining the process which led to the proposals announced on Monday. It is our sincere wish to take the time to inform you of the rationale for the brand refresh, to understand your concerns, and to familiarise you with its use. This means that we will not rush the changes, and meanwhile, WE ARE LISTENING.
We know you have many questions about the brand refresh, the process and how the official emblem will be deployed, and you can click this link for more information.
Fostering global partnerships
I was delighted to attend in person the Times Higher Education (THE) World Academic Summit 2022 hosted by New York University last week. The event brought together the world’s most influential university leaders and researchers to discuss where global higher education is headed, namely the “trajectory”, and the crucial role it plays in shaping the future of the post-pandemic world. I was honoured to speak on a panel hosted by the International Universities Climate Alliance, of which CUHK has recently become a member, on how universities around the world are strengthening their commitment to climate action, and I shared insights on the work we are doing via the Jockey Club Museum of Climate Change, as well as our zero-carbon target.
I also had the pleasure of speaking on another panel focusing on how cross-sector partnerships can develop better opportunities for creating social impact. As an active member of networks and consortia around the world, we are committed to harnessing these connections to bring the world to Hong Kong, and source opportunities for our community around the globe. With the recent easing of travel restrictions, it is vital that we seize the moment to put Hong Kong back on the map.
It was particularly exciting for me to join the Summit in person as CUHK will be hosting the THE Asia Universities Summit in June next year as part of our 60th anniversary celebrations. We look forward to welcoming hundreds of delegates and academics from Asia and beyond to exchange insights on higher education and to learn about the innovation and technology ecosystem of Hong Kong, and how our city can connect the world to the thriving Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area.
Scaling new heights
A major highlight of last week’s Summit was the announcement of the THE World University Rankings 2023. I was thrilled to see CUHK remain on an upward trajectory, attaining a record-high ranking of 45th in the world, leaping four spots forward from last year. The result represents a continuation of our strong performance across world universities rankings this year, as we were placed 38th globally in the prestigious QS World University Rankings released in June, achieving our best performance in over a decade. It is a testament to the outstanding talent, dedication and vision of the entire CUHK community. Research and innovation, global engagement, and talent development and recruitment are all core objectives of the CUHK 2021-2025 Strategic Plan, and are anchored by our mission to achieve excellence with purpose and responsibility. With Hong Kong’s evolution and transition to a knowledge-based economy and integration with the nation’s development, our world-class universities are primed to make vital contributions to the city’s endeavours as a super connector between China and the world. This globally recognised academic standing of CUHK is indeed a strong vote of confidence in CUHK’s capacity to contribute to these important tasks. My sincere gratitude and congratulations to all staff, students, and everyone who have contributed to this outstanding result.
Enhancing alumni and community engagement
Earlier this month, I attended the annual dinner of the Federation of Alumni Associations of CUHK cum inauguration ceremony of its executive committee for the year 2022-23. It was such a happy occasion where so many CUHK graduates had gathered to celebrate the significant role of the Federation in engaging our vibrant and diverse alumni community. Congratulations to Mr Davis Man Chun-kau of the Alumni Association of United College on his inauguration as the Federation’s new chairperson. May I express my gratitude to Mr Anthony Yiu, the past chairperson, for his tremendous contributions to the Federation over the past challenging year.
Last Saturday, CUHK held the Information Day for Undergraduate Admissions (CUHK Info Day 2022), providing the latest admission and programme information and opening up the faculty and college facilities to about 47,000 students, parents and teachers. The first face-to-face information day in three years, CUHK Info Day 2022 provided the opportunity for prospective students to see the University first-hand by paying a visit to our stunning campus and engaging with our staff and students on what the CUHK experience is all about. In addition to exhibitions, admission talks and facility visits, the event also featured introductory talks on the new double major programme jointly offered by CUHK and CUHK (Shenzhen). As a major initiative designed to foster collaborations between the two campuses and build higher education capacity in the GBA, the programme combines the best university experience in Hong Kong and the Guangdong Province to benefit students through an academically rich and culturally immersive cross-border curriculum.
I look forward to sharing more stories with you in our next edition.
Best wishes,
Professor Rocky S. Tuan
Vice-Chancellor and President
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
