Dear Colleagues,
In recent months, my newsletters have highlighted some of the University’s major achievements, such as our surge in the QS World University Rankings, increased student recruitment numbers and continued success in securing competitive research grants.
I shared these achievements for two reasons: first, to acknowledge the efforts of our colleagues, and second, to emphasise my belief that working together yields real results, which will help maintain our momentum towards achieving HKMU’s strategic goals.
While these accomplishments are indeed encouraging, it is important to keep them in perspective. Our journey towards excellence is ongoing, and there is still much to do.
Complacency has no place here.
On 16 September, a “small” team, led by Prof. Eva Man of the School of Arts and Social Sciences and supported by other HKMU colleagues, pulled off a spectacular event – the inaugural World University Animation Awards (WUAA). The WUAA attracted over 1,000 submissions of animated works from about 600 universities across 96 countries and regions. The WUAA aims to unite the world through art, harness technology and empower the next generation of animators. The event was a resounding success.
On 19 September, we reached another milestone by securing an interest-free loan of $1,317.48 million from the Hong Kong Government. This loan is a key component of our financing plan for the construction of the HKMU Hub for Community Health and Wellness (HCHW). Progress on securing the land grant for the HCHW is going well. Once the process is completed, the site formation works will start, hopefully before the end of 2025.
At the same time, the University is seeking to lease suitable space in our neighbourhood for staff offices, student activities, and programmes requiring specialised facilities.
When retreating is not an option, we will move forward with courage and confidence.
Paul LAM Kwan-sing
President
