University of Hong Kong facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
University of Hong Kong

香港大學
Coat of arms
Latin: Universitas Hongkongensis
Motto	Sapientia et Virtus (Latin) 明德格物 (Classical Chinese)
Motto in English	Wisdom and Virtue
Type	Public
Established	1 October 1887; 137 years ago (1887-10-01) (as Hong Kong College of Medicine for Chinese) 30 March 1911; 114 years ago (1911-03-30) (as University of Hong Kong)
Chancellor	John Lee Ka-chiu
Vice-president	Gong Peng Ian Holliday Max Shen
Vice-Chancellor	Xiang Zhang
Provost	Y.C. Richard Wong
Pro-chancellor	David Li
Academic staff	8266
Administrative staff	4295
Students	29,791
Undergraduates	17,106 (57.4%)
Postgraduates	9,813 (32.9%)
Location	Pokfulam , Hong Kong 22°17′03″N 114°08′16″E / 22.28417°N 114.13778°E / 22.28417; 114.13778
Campus	Urban 17.7 hectares (0.177 km2) (Main campus) 70.1 hectares (0.701 km2) (Total)
Newspaper	Undergrad HKUSU (Chinese)
Colours	Dark green
Affiliations	ASAIHL, Universitas 21, ACU, JUPAS, AACSB, EQUIS, APRU, UGC, Heads of Universities Committee, Joint Quality Review Committee, Washington University in St. Louis McDonnell International Scholars Academy, BHUA, GHMUA
Mascot	Lion
Chinese name
Simplified Chinese	香港大学
Traditional Chinese	香港大學
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Xiānggǎng Dàxué Yue: Cantonese Yale Romanization Hēunggóng Daaihhohk IPA [hœ́ːŋ.kɔ̌ːŋ tàːi.hɔ̀ːk̚] Jyutping Hoeng1gong2 Daai6hok6

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) is a big public research university located in Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong. It's a place where students and professors do a lot of important studies and discoveries.

HKU started way back in 1887 as the Hong Kong College of Medicine for Chinese. This makes it the oldest university in Hong Kong! Today, HKU has ten main study areas called faculties. Most classes and tests are in English.

HKU is known around the world for its high quality. It ranks among the top universities globally and is often considered one of the best in Asia. A cool fact: HKU was the first team in the world to successfully find and study the coronavirus that caused SARS.

History

How HKU Started

The Main Building in 1912

The University of Hong Kong began with the Hong Kong College of Medicine for Chinese. This college was started in 1887 by a person named Ho Kai. Later, it became the university's first medical school. In 1907, its name changed to the Hong Kong College of Medicine.

The idea for a full university in Hong Kong came from the governor, Sir Frederick Lugard. He wanted Hong Kong to have a strong university to compete with other countries that were opening universities in China.

A kind Indian businessman in Hong Kong, Sir Hormusjee Naorojee Mody, heard about Lugard's plan. He promised to donate a lot of money to help build the university. The Hong Kong Government and other businesses also supported the idea. They wanted to learn about new technologies and ideas from the West.

The university was officially started on March 30, 1911. Governor Lugard laid the first stone for the Main Building on March 16, 1910. The university officially opened its doors on March 11, 1912. At first, only male students were allowed. But ten years later, women students were also welcomed!

HKU first focused on science and engineering. This was because people at the time felt that Chinese society needed more scientific knowledge. The first three main study areas were Arts, Engineering, and Medicine. A very famous early student of the medical college was Sun Yat-sen. He later became a key leader in the Chinese Revolution of 1911, which changed China into a republic. In 1916, HKU had its first graduation ceremony with 23 graduates.

Changes and World War II

Main Building in 1946, showing damage from World War II

After some big strikes in 1925 and 1926, the government decided to include more Chinese culture in education. In 1927, a degree in Chinese studies was created. Rich businessmen like Tang Chi Ngong and Fung Ping Shan gave money to support Chinese cultural education. Today, two buildings on campus are named after them.

In 1937, the Queen Mary Hospital opened. It has been the university's teaching hospital ever since, where medical students learn by helping real patients. In 1941, during the Japanese invasion of Hong Kong, university buildings were damaged. HKU had to close until 1945. During this time, the Medical College moved to Chengdu to keep teaching.

After World War II to 2001

After World War II ended, the university reopened. It started to offer more studies in law and social sciences as Hong Kong began to rebuild. The Faculty of Social Sciences was created in 1967, and the Law Department in 1969. The number of students grew a lot, from 2,000 in 1961 to over 5,500 in 1980.

In 1982, the Faculty of Dentistry was created. It is still the only place in Hong Kong that trains dental professionals. In 1984, the School of Architecture and School of Education became full faculties, and the Faculty of Law was also formed. The Faculty of Business and Economics was the newest faculty, started in 2001.

After 1989, the Hong Kong government wanted more local students to study in Hong Kong instead of going abroad. So, HKU greatly increased the number of student places and courses. By 2001, there were 14,300 students and over a hundred different degree courses.

From 2001 to Today

In 2006, the Faculty of Medicine was renamed the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine. This was to thank Li Ka-shing and his foundation for donating a huge amount of money to support the university's development and medical research.

In 2011, Li Keqiang, a high-ranking official from mainland China, visited HKU. The university campus was put on lockdown for security. Some students and alumni were upset about how the security was handled. The university's vice-chancellor, Professor Lap-Chee Tsui, apologized. He promised that the campus belongs to students and teachers and will always be a place for freedom of expression.

From 2010 to 2012, HKU celebrated its 100th anniversary. A new part of the campus, the Centennial Campus, was opened. The University of Hong Kong–Shenzhen Hospital, one of the university's teaching hospitals, also opened in 2011.

In 2015, HKU became the first university in the world to join HeForShe. This is a UN Women program that encourages men to support women's rights. HKU promised to increase the number of female leaders in the university.

In 2017, Professor Xiang Zhang, a nanoscience expert, became the new President and Vice-Chancellor. He was the first vice-chancellor born in mainland China.

In 2023, Professor Sir Fraser Stoddart, a Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry, joined HKU as a professor. He won the Nobel Prize for his work on tiny molecular machines.

Discussions about fairness in 2015

In 2015, there were many discussions about how a new leader for the university was chosen. A special committee had suggested Johannes Chan for the role. He was a respected expert in law and human rights. However, some media outlets criticized him because of his political views.

Usually, the university's governing council accepts the suggestions from these committees. But this time, the council delayed and then rejected Chan's appointment. They did not give a clear reason. Many people thought this decision was unfair and that politics might have influenced it.

This decision worried many students and teachers. They felt it could harm the university's academic freedom, which means professors and students should be able to study and express ideas freely without outside pressure. Student groups and faculty members spoke out against the decision. They believed it could make other academics afraid to share their views.

Campuses

Main Building

Main Building corridor

Eliot Hall and Meng Wah Complex

The Kadoorie Biological Sciences Building and the Pillar of Shame

T.T. Tsui Building

Academic Conference Room of the Faculty of Law at the Cheng Yu Tung Tower on the Centennial Campus with a view of Victoria Harbour

HKU's main campus is located in Pokfulam on Hong Kong Island. It covers a large area and has many beautiful buildings. Some of these buildings are great examples of old British Colonial architecture. The university even has its own train station, HKU station, which opened in 2014.

The Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine is a bit further away, about 4.5 kilometers from the main campus. It's located near Sandy Bay. This medical campus includes Queen Mary Hospital, where students get hands-on training. The Faculty of Dentistry is in Sai Ying Pun, at the Prince Philip Dental Hospital.

HKU also has other special centers. These include the Kadoorie Agricultural Research Centre in the New Territories and the Swire Institute of Marine Science on the d'Aguilar Peninsula.

Main Building

The Main Building is the oldest structure at HKU. It was built between 1910 and 1912. Sir Hormusjee Naorojee Mody helped fund it. The building has a classic style with red brick and granite. It features four towers and a central clock tower. Inside, the Great Hall is named Loke Yew Hall, after another important supporter of the university. This building was declared a special monument in 1984.

Swire Building

Around 1980, the Swire Group helped fund a new student residence hall. It was named Swire Building because of their support. The building officially opened in 1980. The color orange was chosen as the hall's color. The hall's motto is "Unity and Sincerity," which means all students living there should work together.

Hung Hing Ying Building

This building opened in 1919 and was first used by the students' union. After World War II, it was used for administrative offices. In 1986, it was named after Mr. Hung Hing-Ying because his family donated money to the university. This two-story building has a central dome and red brick, similar to the Main Building. It became a declared monument in 1995.

Tang Chi Ngong Building

The idea for a Chinese studies school led to this building. Construction started in 1929 after a donation from Tang Chi-ngong. It opened in 1931. The building has been used for different purposes over the years, but its name remains the same. Today, it houses the Centre of Asian Studies. This building also became a declared monument in 1995.

Centennial Campus

To make more space for students, the Centennial Campus was built. It opened in 2012. This new campus is home to the Faculty of Arts, the Faculty of Law, and the Faculty of Social Sciences.

Academics

How to Get In

Getting into HKU is quite competitive. In 2016, about 40,000 students applied for undergraduate studies. For students from mainland China, only about 1 out of 21 applicants were accepted. HKU often accepts students who have done very well in their high school exams.

Students from Hong Kong apply through a system called JUPAS. Students from other countries or who take different exams apply directly through the HKU website.

Teaching and Learning

Most undergraduate degrees at HKU take four years to complete. Medical and nursing programs take a bit longer. English is the main language used for teaching. Students from Hong Kong usually take English and Chinese language courses. However, students who are not native Chinese speakers can be excused from the Chinese course. The university also offers Chinese language courses for international students.

Research

HKU is part of several international groups of research universities, like Universitas 21. This means it works with other top universities around the world on research. HKU gets a lot of funding for its research, which helps professors and students make new discoveries.

Many HKU professors are among the top 1% of scientists in the world, based on how often their work is mentioned by other researchers. HKU also has the largest number of research students in Hong Kong. All ten faculties offer programs for students who want to do advanced research.

Libraries and Museums

The University Museum and Art Gallery from Bonham Road

The HKU Libraries (HKUL) started in 1912 and are the oldest academic libraries in Hong Kong. They have over 2.3 million items! There's a main library and six smaller libraries specializing in different subjects like Dentistry, Law, and Music. You can search for books and other resources online using their catalogue called DRAGON.

The libraries also have digital projects that let you access old local collections online. They provide free online access to Chinese and English academic journals published in Hong Kong.

The Fung Ping Shan Building was built in 1932 to be a library for Chinese books. It's named after its donor. In 1962, the Chinese book collection moved to the Main Library. The building then became a museum for Chinese art and archaeology. It has collections of ceramics, pottery, and bronze sculptures. In 1996, new floors were added to the building to create the University Museum and Art Gallery.

Reputation and Rankings

HKU is highly respected around the world. It is often ranked among the top universities globally by different organizations. For example, in 2025, QS World University Rankings placed HKU at #17 worldwide.

HKU is also known for being a very international university. In 2023, Times Higher Education ranked it as the most international university in the world.

Subject Rankings

HKU is strong in many different subjects. Here are some of its world rankings in specific study areas:

• In Social Sciences & Management, it ranks #29.
• In Arts and Humanities, it ranks #34.
• In Life Sciences & Medicine, it ranks #29.
• In Education, it ranks #5.
• In Clinical & Health, it ranks #13.
• In Law, it ranks #24.

Graduate Employability Ranking

HKU graduates are highly sought after by employers. In 2022, HKU graduates ranked 47th worldwide in the Times Higher Education's Global University Employability Ranking. This means that companies around the world like to hire HKU graduates.

Student Life

HKU cares about its students' well-being. The Centre of Development and Resources for Students (CEDARS) helps with things like career advice. The University Health Service provides healthcare for students.

Student Population

In 2008–2009, there were over 21,000 students at HKU. This included undergraduate students (those studying for their first degree) and postgraduate students (those studying for advanced degrees). HKU is a popular choice for international students. In 2012, there were over 6,800 non-local students from 83 different countries.

Halls and Colleges

University Hall

HKU has 20 places where students can live, called residential halls and colleges. These are for undergraduate students, postgraduate students, and visitors. Some of these halls include:

• Swire Hall and Simon K. Y. Lee Hall on the Main Campus.
• Lee Hysan Hall and Wei Lun Hall on the Sassoon Road Campus.
• Lady Ho Tung Hall and Starr Hall at Jockey Club Student Village I.
• Morrison Hall and Lee Shau Kee Hall at Jockey Club Student Village II.
• Shun Hing College, Chi Sun College, Lap-Chee College, and New College at Jockey Club Student Village III.
• Older, historic residences like St. John's College and University Hall.

There are also three non-residential halls for students who live off-campus: Hornell Hall (for males) and Lee Chi Hung Hall (for both males and females).

Student Organizations

The Students' Union Building before its revamp in 2011

Students can join many clubs and groups at HKU. The Hong Kong University Students' Union (HKUSU) is one of the main student groups. It offers over a hundred different clubs and associations. This union is known for being active in student issues. There was a time when the head of the union, Ayo Chan, made comments about the Tiananmen Square protests that upset many students, and he was voted out of his position.

Study Abroad Programs

Every year, over 1,000 HKU students get to study abroad in other countries. They can go to universities in 40 different countries. This is a great way for students to experience new cultures and learn in different environments. HKU also welcomes many students from its partner universities to study on its campus each year.

Organization and Administration

How HKU is Managed

HKU SPACE Admiralty Learning Centre

The head of the Hong Kong government, called the Chief Executive, is also the Chancellor of the University. This role is set out in the University of Hong Kong Ordinance.

The university has several important groups that help manage it:

• The Court: This is a large group that oversees the university and makes big decisions about its rules.
• The Senate: This group is in charge of all academic matters, like what courses are taught and how students are graded. It also looks after the welfare of students.
• The Council: This group manages the university's money, staff, and future plans. It includes both university members and people from outside the university.

HKU has ten main faculties, which are like different schools within the university. These include:

• Architecture
• Arts
• Business & Economics
• Dentistry
• Education
• Engineering
• Law
• Science
• Social Sciences
• Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine

Most classes in these faculties are taught in English.

HKU also has two other institutions:

• HKU SPACE: This school offers professional and continuing education courses. It helps people learn new skills or get diplomas.
• Centennial College: This college offers four-year bachelor's degree programs.

Shield, Motto, and Coat of Arms

HKU's shield of arms, granted in 1913

The university's shield and motto were designed in 1912 and officially approved in 1913. The shield has lions, like the English coat of arms, and a book, which represents learning.

The Latin motto, Sapientia et Virtus, means "Wisdom and Virtue" in English. The Chinese motto, 明德格物 (ming tak kak mat), means "illustrious virtue" and "the investigation of things." These phrases come from old Chinese writings and talk about being wise and understanding the world.

In 1984, a full coat of arms was created for the university. It includes the shield, mottoes, and two supporters: a Chinese dragon and a lion. These represent the university's goal to combine Eastern and Western cultures and ideas. The base of the coat of arms shows Hong Kong Island, where the university is located.

University Anthem

The University Anthem is a special song for HKU. It was recorded by the Hong Kong Sinfonietta and choirs. The song talks about wisdom, knowledge, and how new learning will shine from the East.

Notable Alumni

Many famous people have studied at the University of Hong Kong. One of the most well-known is Dr. Sun Yat-sen, who founded the Republic of China. He studied at the Hong Kong College of Medicine for Chinese, which was the start of HKU.

Many HKU graduates also work in important government roles in Hong Kong. They also lead many big companies in the private sector.

In recent years, Professor Guan Yi became famous for his research on SARS. His work helped identify the SARS-Coronavirus and its source. This helped the Chinese Government prevent another SARS outbreak in 2004.

See also

• Vice-Chancellors of the University of Hong Kong
• Education in Hong Kong
• Hong Kong University Students' Union
• List of buildings and structures in Hong Kong
• List of higher education institutions in Hong Kong
• List of oldest universities in continuous operation
• The University of Hong Kong Faculty of Law
• The Asian Institute of International Financial Law