This year, the University embraced a new identity when it became Hong Kong's first university of applied sciences (UAS). The UAS status, designated by the Education Bureau in March 2024, recognises HKMU's strengths and experience in delivering professional and vocationally oriented programmes. As Hong Kong's first UAS, HKMU will be leading the way in providing university education that meets the development needs of Hong Kong, the rest of the Greater Bay Area and beyond. We will also be working more closely than ever with industry to develop new applied degree programmes and arrange student placements. More details are available in Chapter 2.
As a growing university, HKMU expects to welcome an influx of new students and researchers in the years ahead. To cater for current and future demand, we have been actively looking for opportunities to expand our space. A milestone breakthrough came with Government approval for HKMU to develop a sloping site in Ho Man Tin into a brand-new campus, targeted for completion in 2028. In the year we also purchased a brand-new hotel in Hung Hom — now named MU88 — to provide accommodation for students, researchers and visiting fellows arriving from outside Hong Kong. Other related initiatives during the year have included the renting of extra space near our main campus to set up the new Homantin Plaza Learning Centre, and renovations and enhancements across our existing campus spaces. Looking further ahead, a HK$37 million grant we have received from the Education Bureau will enable us to set up an Industrial Centre to support teaching and training in the field of new industrialisation. Our physical development initiatives are detailed in Chapter 6.
HKMU's management team went through a refresh in the year, in preparation for the next stage of growth and transformation. Following the well-deserved retirement of Dr the Honourable Charles Lee Yeh-kwong, who had served the University with dedication for a decade, the University welcomed Dr Eddy Fong Ching to the position of Pro-chancellor for a term of three years from November 2023. Dr Fong has a longstanding relationship with HKMU, having joined the University Council in 2003 and served in many significant roles since then, including Chairman and Treasurer.
Meanwhile, HKMU President Prof. Paul Lam Kwan-sing was reappointed to his role for a further four years from April 2025. The reappointment recognises his exceptional contributions to date in raising the University to new heights. Among other important initiatives, Prof. Lam has been instrumental in steering the University through its retitling, as well as expanding the HKMU programme portfolio and fast-tracking its research development.
To reflect its changing nature, in June 2024 the University announced it would implement a new organisational structure and enhance its planning and management capabilities. This involved welcoming two new faces to the University's top management. Prof. Alan Au Kai-ming, originally Dean of the Lee Shau Kee School of Business and Administration, took up the newly created position of Vice President (Strategic Initiatives) in July 2024, to provide leadership in the areas of mainland China and international affairs, planning and analysis, and other new initiatives such as the University's development as a UAS. Prof. Charles Kwong Che-leung, formerly Dean of the School of Arts and Social Sciences, took on the role of Vice President (Administration and Corporate Development) in September 2024, overseeing facilities management, finance, human resources, information technology and university library affairs.
