As the clock ticks over to 2026, I extend my heartfelt greetings and best wishes on behalf of City University of Hong Kong (Dongguan) to all our faculty, staff, students and friends who have backed us through thick and thin.

Reflecting on 2025, CityUHK (Dongguan) put down roots in the fertile soil of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), forging ahead steadily. We carried forward the world-class academic heritage of City University of Hong Kong and immersed ourselves in the GBA’s innovation ecosystem, building an international university community that nurtures talents adept at blending Eastern and Western knowledge and applying theory to practice.

In 2025, we bolstered our academic foundation by upholding CityUHK's standards.

CityUHK made waves on the international stage in 2025, becoming the second university in Hong Kong to rank among the top 100 in all four major global university rankings. For two consecutive years, it was recognised as the “Most International University” by Times Higher Education, with 20 disciplines ranked in the QS World Top 100. These outstanding international accolades not only bear witness to the strength of CityUHK but also underpin high-quality education at CityUHK (Dongguan).

In 2025, we dived into the GBA, enhancing our innovation ecosystem. 

CityUHK (Dongguan) joined several regional alliances and partnered with Hong Kong and Macao universities in building the “Greater Bay Area International Technology Innovation Centre.” Additionally, we promoted government-university deep technology cooperation and hosted the “HK Tech 300” Dongguan event. By teaming up with nearby national scientific facilities, research institutions and leading enterprises at Songshan Lake Science City, we injected academic wisdom into regional innovation.

In 2025, we brought together diverse student groups, raising our international profile.

Our global faculty is expanding, and we welcomed outstanding students from across the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and international undergraduates, forming a truly diverse community. Partnerships with institutions like the University of Cambridge enabled international exchanges and broadened perspectives through global lectures and conferences.

In 2025, we enriched our educational practices for students’ holistic development.

We received the green light from the Ministry of Education for several new undergraduate and master’s programmes, enhancing our academic offerings. With a student-centered approach, we aim to nurture future leaders equipped with solid knowledge, critical thinking, social responsibility and a global perspective. We were thrilled to see our students excel in national competitions, internships and entrepreneurial ventures, showcasing the effectiveness of our innovative education model.

In 2025, we boosted campus development and facilities.

We made significant strides in improving our campus facilities. The library is officially up and running, and we opened new venues for academic discussions, recreation and sports. We joined forces with CityUHK’s professors to set up joint labs. The Education Foundation was established, and the second phase of campus construction is underway, setting the stage for our long-term growth.

In 2025, we contributed to social services through our culture.

Our faculty have been occupied with research in fields such as advanced materials and computer science with local industries. Our students and staff enthusiastically participated in volunteer efforts at major events like the 15th National Games and city marathons, demonstrating a strong sense of social responsibility. We regularly hosted lectures by renowned experts and cultural salons, building an open and inclusive intellectual platform.

Looking ahead to 2026, we will stay true to our educational mission, continuing to pursue excellence in talent cultivation, scientific research and social service. Relying on the academic quality assurance system of CityUHK, we will further integrate teaching and research, gather global faculty, expand collaborations, and inspire our faculty and students to innovate into the future.

High-level educational openness is the important mission of new universities like ours. The vitality of a university lies in its constant companionship with the era and its shared prosperity with the region. Thank you for walking alongside CityUHK (Dongguan). This is not just a story of a university’s growth; it is a vivid reflection of a group of people advancing together with an era.

In the new year, let's rise with momentum and blaze a new trail together.

Professor Duan Baoyan
President of CityUHK (Dongguan)