Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) 35th Anniversary Launch Ceremony today (March 16):

尊敬的羅永綱副主任 (Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Mr Luo Yonggang), Dr Chan (the Pro-Chancellor of the HKUST, Dr John Chan), Professor Shum (the Council Chairman of the HKUST, Professor Harry Shum), Dr Liao (the Chairman of the HKUST Court, Dr Andrew Liao), Professor Ip (the President of the HKUST, Professor Nancy Ip), Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, 

     Good afternoon. It is a great pleasure and honour to join you today at the launch ceremony of the 35th anniversary of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. The theme for this year-long celebration, "Where Miracles Happen", is truly fitting.

     In just 35 years, the HKUST has transformed from a bold, brand-new institution, to become one of the world's most respected universities.  

     But this was not simply a miracle. It came from visionary leadership, dedicated faculty and a continuing flow of talented students, all driven by an unwavering commitment to innovative education, research excellence and impactful knowledge transfer.

     The HKUST ranked sixth in the 2026 QS Asia University Rankings, and 19th globally in the 2025 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings. These numbers clearly show the HKUST's proud place on the global stage.   

     Beyond rankings, the HKUST's entrepreneurial spirit is just as impressive. Its members have started more than 1 900 active start-ups, including 10 unicorns. These achievements show how the HKUST's research and discoveries make a real difference in the world.  

     The Government is committed to strengthening Hong Kong's status as an international education hub. We are determined to attract talent from every corner of the world, while nurturing our own home-grown talent. And I am proud to say that the HKUST is a shining example of this vision in action.   

     In the 2025 Policy Address, the Government introduced concrete measures to advance this goal. That includes raising the enrolment ceiling for self-financing, non-local students at publicly funded universities, from 40 per cent to 50 per cent of local student places, and increasing the over-enrolment ceiling for self-financing research postgraduate programmes to 120 per cent. Both take effect in the coming academic year.   

     We also established a dedicated Task Force on "Study in Hong Kong" to deepen our role as an international hub for post-secondary education.  

     The HKUST has responded so well to these initiatives. In the current academic year, the University has attracted more than 20 000 undergraduate applications worldwide. It now has a highly diverse non-local student community, with students from over 80 countries and regions. This is exactly how we enrich our talent pool and strengthen global connections.

     Looking ahead, the University's contributions fit very well with the country's strategic priorities under the 15th Five-Year Plan: high-quality development, greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology, industrial modernisation, as well as advances in original innovation and breakthroughs in core technologies.   

     The HKUST is a great example of how our universities can support national priorities. It's already making good progress in areas like AI, data science, life and health sciences, advanced materials and sustainable energy.  

     And the future looks equally promising. The HKUST School of Medicine will admit its first cohort in the 2028/29 academic year.  

     This will be Hong Kong's third medical school, combining medical education with the HKUST's renowned strengths in research and technology.  

     The medical school's future campus will be strategically located - right next to the new integrated hospital in the Northern Metropolis' Ngau Tam Mei Development Area. That will ensure its close collaboration with the San Tin Technopole and the Northern Metropolis University Town, and strong connectivity with the Greater Bay Area. This will put Hong Kong, and the HKUST, at the forefront of medical innovation.

     I know the University is organising many major events this anniversary year, including the Asia Universities Summit in April, as well as the World Top University Presidents Forum in November. In short, there is much to look forward to.

     Once again, congratulations to the HKUST on its milestone 35th anniversary. And my sincere thanks to everyone who has played a part in the University's remarkable rise and shine.  

     Thank you very much.

Ends/Monday, March 16, 2026
Issued at HKT 16:55

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