Breadcrumb Home / University NewsCenter / CityUHK (DG) welcomes its 2025 cohort with growing global appeal CityUHK (DG) welcomes its 2025 cohort with growing global appeal 28 Aug 2025 From 21 to 23 August, City University of Hong Kong (Dongguan) warmly welcomed its 2025 intake of students, marking a dynamic start to the new academic year. In its second year of operation, CityUHK (DG) continues to attract outstanding students from across the globe with its international vision, high-quality educational resources, and innovative approach to talent development. This year’s undergraduate cohort demonstrates both exceptional academic ability and diversity, with students joining from 13 provinces and regions across mainland China. The university also admitted, for the first time, students from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and other international regions. Ilyas, a first-year student from Kazakhstan, expressed his excitement: “Guangdong and Dongguan are at the forefront of technological development in China, with many leading tech companies based here.” Arman, another international student, added, “I am truly excited—there is so much to explore in this country, this city and at this university.” Strong interest was also seen in the master’s programmes, with applications far exceeding available places. Many students are from prestigious institutions such as Peking University, the University of Hong Kong and University of Toronto—all ranked in the top 100 of the QS World University Ranking—reflecting CityUHK (DG)’s growing academic reputation and influence. When asked about the reasons to choose CityUHK (DG), many students highlighted the distinguished faculty and strategic location of the campus. Wang, a student who graduated from Peking University, shared: “I chose CityUHK (DG) for its international background as a collaborative institution of CityUHK, and its prime location in the Greater Bay Area, which offers great opportunities for both research and internships.” This year’s enrolment featured an AI-powered Digital Campus Navigation Assistant, developed by a team led by Associate Professor CAI Chengjun. The system provides intelligent 24/7 guidance, enhancing the overall experience for new students. Many students described their initial impressions as “refreshing” and “vibrant”. “It’s both unique and refreshing to receive a global education right here in mainland China,” remarked Shao, a postgraduate student who completed his undergraduate studies abroad. Zhang, an undergraduate student from Guangdong, added, "the campus culture is vibrant and full of diverse perspectives—I believe this environment will truly foster innovation." Professor LI Juan Julie, Vice President (Academic) of CityUHK (DG), warmly welcomed incoming students and encouraged them to leverage the university’s academic, research, and internship opportunities to broaden their capabilities and achieve future success. Related News GDST, CityUHK and CityUHK (Dongguan) sign Work Plan to deepen tech development bond CityUHK is ranked 2nd in Hong Kong in the ShanghaiRanking’s Academic Ranking of World Universities and is one of only two local universities in the global top 100 CityUHK (DG) joins Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao University Alliance, deepening regional education-technology integration CityUHK (DG) Open Day draws large crowds CityUHK ranked No. 1 in Hong Kong in Nature Index’s “2025 Research Leaders: Leading Institutions”; Two subjects ranked in the global top 50 and first in Hong Kong