Convocation Forum 2025 - An Evening with the Council Chairman
The Convocation Forum—"An Evening with the Council Chairman"—was held on November 11, 2025, with over 100 members in attendance. The forum featured a distinguished panel of university leaders who shared their insights on the university’s ongoing efforts to advance its mission. Panelists included Dr Peter T. S. Wong, Chairman of the HKU Council; Professor Xiang Zhang, President and Vice-Chancellor; Professor Richard Y. C. Wong, Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Interim); and Professor Ian Holliday, Registrar. Mr Mak Tung Wing, Chairman of Convocation, moderated the discussion, with the participation from Mrs Cherry Tse Ling Kit Ching, Executive Vice-President (Administration & Finance), and Professor Yang Wang, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Institutional Advancement).
The event provided an open platform for meaningful discussions on HKU’s strategic development, academic excellence, and future initiatives. Key themes included the importance of attracting top talents—both faculty and students—and creating an intellectually stimulating environment that fosters innovation and leadership. Discussions highlighted the university’s impressive standing regionally and globally, with recognition of the achievements across its faculties.
Participants explored HKU’s vision for the next ten years Leadership for Impact – Vision for 2026-2035, focusing on positioning the university as a leading institution that contributes meaningfully to humanity. Emphasis was placed on leveraging artificial intelligence and other innovative technologies to transform teaching, research, and innovation over the next decade. The importance of maintaining HKU’s rich traditions while embracing new challenges was also underscored.
Further discussions addressed the university’s expanding international footprint and efforts to accommodate growing student numbers through new infrastructure projects and potential space acquisitions. Responsible adoption of AI in education was highlighted, with initiatives aimed at embedding ethical AI use into curricula and assessment practices to prepare students for future societal roles.
The event concluded with expressions of gratitude for ongoing engagement and a shared commitment among the university community to foster continued dialogue, collaboration, and excellence.
This forum exemplifies HKU’s dedication to transparent communication and collective efforts from all stakeholders in shaping its future. The Convocation looks forward to more similar opportunities to strengthen our community and uphold the university’s leading position in higher education.
Highlights:
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A university serves as a fundamental source of information and knowledge that benefits humankind, emphasizing the importance of passionate, talented professors dedicated to research and teaching.
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While celebrating 115 years of history and a rich legacy, HKU recognizes the need to adapt to the AI revolution by exploring and integrating artificial intelligence to transform its teaching, research, and innovation over the next decade.
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Attracting top scholars and students internationally requires creating an intellectually stimulating environment, not just providing quality facilities, to nurture future leaders among both students and staff.
- HKU aims to be a world-leading university rooted in Hong Kong, evolving over time to meet new goals and address global challenges, while responding to the needs of diverse stakeholders.
Convocation, The University of Hong Kong (香港大學畢業生議會) is a statutory body of the University. All graduates and teachers of the University become members of Convocation automatically.