（本文只有英文版本）

Dear colleagues, students, alumni, and members of the HKU community,

I am delighted to announce that HKU has risen to an unprecedented 11th place in the 2026 QS World University Rankings – a significant jump from 17th last year, breaking Hong Kong records for two consecutive years and solidifying our status as a global leader in higher education.

As the President, I am often asked: what makes HKU qualified to become a world-leading university? My answer is always the same: HKU is a vibrant hub of talent from all over the world, always striving for academic and research excellence.

While rankings may fluctuate, the milestone we witness today is indeed an encouraging testament to our commitment to excellence. Our excellence is not an overnight work, but a collective goal shared, pursued and sustained by all members of the HKU community over the past years.

We are profoundly grateful to all our administrative and professoriate colleagues, students, alumni, supporters and partners. Your contribution, support, passion and belief in our mission in education are the driving forces behind our progress.

2026 marks HKU’s 115th anniversary and the beginning of our next 10-year chapter. As we move forward, we are inspired by the opportunities ahead and the impact to the world we can accomplish together. At the same time, we must not be complacent – we should remind ourselves that with each achievement comes the opportunity to re-evaluate and strive even further. Let us stay united, committed, and always open to changes, so that we can reach even greater heights in the years to come.

To everyone in the HKU community, thank you again for being a part of this journey. I look forward to celebrating many more milestones together.

Professor Xiang Zhang

President and Vice-Chancellor

The University of Hong Kong