(本文只有英文版本) 

Dear colleagues, students, alumni and friends,

We depart 2025 with a heavy heart. Our thoughts are still with those affected by the Tai Po fire. Tragedies like this confront us with the fragility of life, yet they also reveal the enduring strength of humanity. The courage of the rescue personnel and support provided across Hong Kong have reminded us of the noblest values of being human.

For the past century, HKU has stood firmly with Hong Kong, our Nation and the world, through thick and thin. This commitment anchors our Vision for 2026-2035 – to be a world‑leading university transforming humanity’s future, guiding us on how we contribute knowledge, talent and leadership to society.

To advance this vision, we are deepening our academic strengths. With about 100 exceptional scholars joining HKU in 2025, including Nobel Laureate Professor Ferenc Krausz, we are actively expanding our platforms that enable world‑class research.

Last year, HKU was entrusted to host five of Hong Kong’s 15 State Key Laboratories. Together with major campus development projects such as the Tech Landmark, we are injected with new impetus for frontier discoveries and interdisciplinary collaborations.

As we immerse deeply in the tech era shaped by artificial intelligence, we have spared no efforts in getting our community fully prepared by introducing mandatory AI‑related courses for new undergraduates and broadened AI training for staff in this academic year. This will continue to ensure that HKU remains at the forefront of technological transformation while using AI responsibly.

While it’s exciting to ride on the sweeping AI tsunami and other technological transformations that shape everyday life, let us not forget that equally important for our society are humanities – the very foundation for shaping and advancing civilisation. 

As we honour in 2025-26 HKU’s 115^th anniversary, our heritage and growth, it is also an opportune time for us to reinforce the importance of humanities for our future. We will be setting up a “fund for the study of humanities and society” with a view to rolling out new initiatives and multiple efforts in this direction soon. 

In the fast-changing age, we will encounter numerous challenges, but I firmly believe that with one heart and one mind to embrace changes and seize opportunities, HKU can serve Hong Kong, our Nation and the world with our best endeavours.  

Entering the new year, I look to all of you to work together – to advance HKU to be a world-leading university transforming humanity’s future!

Yours Sincerely,

Professor Xiang Zhang 

President and Vice‑Chancellor 

The University of Hong Kong