Dear HKU family,

My first thought of this new year is one of profound gratitude.

Before we race into 2024, let’s take a moment to reflect and be grateful for the year gone by.

With immense pride, we celebrate HKU as the second-highest ranked university in Asia by QS, ahead of many of the great institutions we call our partners and friends. We also remain as the most internationalised university in the world by Times Higher Education.

A record high number of 51* HKU academics were named among the ‘Highly Cited Researchers 2023’ by Clarivate, more than tripled in three years. Furthermore, Research.com’s list of the best scientists in 2023 ranked HKU scholars first in six of the 26 areas surveyed, the most among all universities in China.

We take much encouragement from these results, because they reflect our efforts over the years. More so, they are towering testaments to the commitment of the entire HKU family.

Together, we welcomed distinguished university leaders and academics to join us at the HKU President’s Forum and the APRU Presidents’ Meeting to explore solutions to global challenges, furthering HKU’s impact and our international connections.

Many of us will also recall the excitement of cheering on HKU athletes competing at the Asian Games and the Asian Para Games, as well as the World University Games, who brought home an impressive tally of three gold, two silver, and 10 bronze medals.

Great achievements almost always result from bold vision, careful execution, and perseverance through difficulties and problems. At this point, may I specially thank every member of our family who, despite all the fragility and mistrust in the world, ensures that our progress to becoming a world-leading university continues uninterrupted. You are the heroes of our story.

With your devotion, I am filled with hope that the promise and potential of everyone on this campus will thrive in an environment of critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and rock-solid dedication to being the best we can be.

Whatever obstacles we face, let us remember the HKU community is founded on creativity, framed by resilience, and fostered by our love to this University.

My best wishes to you all for good health, happiness and success in 2024.

Professor Xiang Zhang

President and Vice-Chancellor

*The figure has been updated to 51 by Clarivate in early 2024.