Welcome to the 81st edition of CUHK in Focus.
We began the month with a flag-raising ceremony on our main campus to commemorate the 29th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). Returning to Hong Kong to begin my academic career at CUHK in the same year that our hometown returned to the Motherland, I found it particularly meaningful to celebrate the proud history of the HKSAR together with University Council members, staff, students, alumni, and over 200 friends and supporters from different sectors on this important day. This momentous occasion serves as a reminder of our enduring bond with the beautiful city we call home. With the next year marking another significant milestone of the HKSAR – its 30th anniversary, I am sure there will be an exciting line-up of activities to bring together the entire Hong Kong community to reflect upon its remarkable three-decade journey.
The HKSAR Government also announced the 2026 Honours List and Justices of the Peace appointments on the same day. Congratulations to Professor Lawrence Lau, CUHK’s former Vice-Chancellor and President, on receiving the highest honour of the Grand Bauhinia Medal for his significant contributions to public service and the financial sector, and his dedication to advancing higher education collaboration between Hong Kong and Shenzhen. I am deeply honoured to receive the Gold Bauhinia Star. This award recognises not only my personal efforts but also the steadfast support of my team. It inspires me to contribute further to Hong Kong’s higher education and innovation landscape. May I also take this opportunity to express my sincere congratulations to all CUHK members, including Council members, staff and alumni, who were recognised for their valuable contributions in their professional fields and in community service. Their achievements underscore the vital role that the CUHK community plays in advancing society. We shall continue to strive to fulfil our collective responsibility to contribute to the continued prosperity of Hong Kong. Please visit this page for more information on the University members being honoured by the HKSAR Government this year.
Celebrating global recognitions
We were also delighted to receive recent good news about CUHK’s landmark global recognitions. The University has risen to 18th globally in the latest QS World University Rankings 2027, climbing 14 places from last year and marking the University’s highest-ever ranking. We also performed impressively in the 2026–2027 Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report, ranking 5th in Asia and 28th globally, retaining our position as the top university in Hong Kong for the fourth consecutive year. These encouraging results affirm our position as a world-class institution and stand as a testament to the dedication and diligence of our staff, students, alumni, and partners over the years. Building on these milestones, the University will soon launch its new Strategic Plan 2026–2030, and will continue to strengthen its global academic networks and research impact, and nurture outstanding talent for our country and the world as we shape the next chapter of higher education.
Fostering global dialogue for impact
CUHK was honoured to broaden our global engagement by hosting the 30th Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) Annual Presidents’ Meeting (APM) on campus from 21 to 23 June. The event gathered around 150 distinguished leaders from 45 leading research universities across the Asia-Pacific region to engage in dialogues on shaping universities for a changing world. I delivered an address at the opening ceremony and participated in a panel discussion on the transformation of learning in an era increasingly shaped by AI and automation. Alongside the APRU APM, we also organised the APRU Senior International Leaders’ Meeting (SILM) from 23 to 24 June to foster exchange on the theme of resilient and inclusive global engagement.
Universities stand at a defining threshold, facing global challenges that require international collaboration and shared resources to tackle. Internationalisation is therefore a core responsibility of universities and central to the mission of higher education. By hosting the two flagship APRU meetings, CUHK reaffirmed its commitment to global partnerships and joint action among leading Pacific Rim universities to navigate the evolving global landscape with agility and explore innovative solutions for a sustainable future.
Passing on the heritage
During the APRU SILM, we had the pleasure to invite delegates from around the world to visit the special exhibition, “The Qianlong Emperor: A Legacy in Art, The Huaihaitang Collection” at the CUHK Art Museum. This exhibition, opened earlier in June and running until mid-October, features important donations from the Huaihaitang Collection. I would like to express my gratitude to Mr Anthony K.W. Cheung, Master of Huaihaitang and Chairman of the Advisory Committee of the CUHK Art Museum, who has donated more than 600 historical treasures to the University since 1996, making this exhibition possible. In addition, Mr Cheung has established various funds to support art history research. His dedication to cultural heritage has enabled the Art Museum to fulfil its long-standing mission of preserving Chinese cultural heritage, bridging the past and present, and fostering local and international cultural exchange.
A humbling homecoming
24 June 2026 was a truly unforgettable day for me as I was humbled to be conferred the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Medical Science by the University of Cambridge. Receiving this honour carries profound personal significance, as Cambridge was where my journey as a clinician‑scientist began. I would like to attribute this achievement to the years of hard work of my research team and to all those who have supported me throughout my life. I would also like to thank the many pregnant women and cancer patients whose participation in my clinical research had enabled me to translate scientific breakthroughs from the laboratory to the globe. This accolade strengthens my resolve to advance CUHK’s mission in education, research and innovation, and to deepen our contributions to global health and the wider community.
I look forward to sharing more stories with you in our next edition.
Dennis Lo Yuk-ming
Vice-Chancellor and President
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
