The past year has seen exciting developments for HKMU across multiple areas. To begin with, student recruitment has continued to thrive, reflecting the growing recognition of the unique value of an HKMU education. In the 2024–25 academic year, our full-time undergraduate enrolment exceeded 11,500 students, elevating us to fifth place among the nine JUPAS universities.
A particularly encouraging trend is the consistent increase in the number of JUPAS applicants selecting HKMU programmes as their top three choices (Band A) over the past three years. Band A applications for the 2025 Autumn term surged by 20.7% compared with the previous year. In addition, the number of first-tier NCEE (gaokao) students admitted this year was more than three times that of last year, following our decision to admit only students who have attained first-tier gaokao scores. These developments demonstrate HKMU's growing appeal to both local and non-local students and our reputation for academic excellence.
Further establishing HKMU on the global education map, the University has made significant strides in the international rankings since 2023. Notably, HKMU advanced from the range of 701–750 in 2024 to 393 in 2026 in the QS Asia University Rankings. Furthermore, it made its debut in the QS World University Rankings 2026, securing a position in the range of 781–790 among all universities worldwide. This achievement marks HKMU as Hong Kong's first self-financing university and first university of applied sciences (UAS) to receive such recognition. Locally, we are proud to report that among the nine ranked institutions in Hong Kong, HKMU ranked sixth in employment outcomes and seventh in academic reputation, reflecting our growing impact and positive perception.
Our inclusion in the QS World University Rankings highlights our growing research profile, a key indicator in the rankings. The number of HKMU publications involving international collaboration rose significantly, increasing from 23% in 2020 to 45% in 2024. This growth has been matched by increased research funding. In the 2025–26 Competitive Research Funding Schemes for the Local Self-financing Degree Sector of the Research Grants Council, HKMU secured over HK$33 million in grants, accounting for over 37% of the total allocation for all self-financing institutions.
HKMU's research is dedicated to driving social and economic progress. This year, we saw a rise in the number of patents filed or granted, reflecting our commitment to innovation. We achieved our first IP licensing agreement for an innovative non-invasive prostate cancer screening technology, paving the way for its commercialisation.
We have continued to foster a spirit of entrepreneurship at HKMU through initiatives such as the launch of the HKMU Startup Fund, aimed at encouraging entrepreneurial activity among our staff, students and alumni. This year, the first batch of five startups was selected to receive support from the Angel Fund, with each receiving up to HK$1 million in funding.
To keep pace with our ambitions, we are enhancing our campus facilities and infrastructure. In September 2025, MU88 began its transformation into a modern student hostel with enhanced facilities. Meanwhile, refurbishment at MU Tower, our new facility for teaching and executive training, progressed steadily, with some areas already in service. The new University Centre at Oi Man Plaza, will offer teaching and learning space, shared offices for research staff and a student service centre. Extensive renovations and enhancements are also planned for the LiPACE building at the HKMU – CITA Learning Centre.
Also underway is the proposed new campus, located on the corner of Sheung Shing Street and Fat Kwong Street in Ho Man Tin. Positioned as “A Hub for Community Health and Wellness”, the new campus will provide a high-quality teaching and learning environment for students and faculty while fostering closer engagement with the community.
As Hong Kong's first UAS, we were appointed as one of the founding members of the Alliance of Universities of Applied Sciences in November 2024. Since then, we have actively fostered partnerships with other applied sciences institutions regionally and internationally. In the Greater Bay Area, we are looking forward to the establishment of the “Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Alliance”, with HKMU as one of the three founding members. This will create valuable opportunities for collaboration and unlock synergies across the region for both faculty and students.
Having recently celebrated 35 years of success, it is gratifying to see HKMU's momentum accelerating further. We are working tirelessly to develop new infrastructure, new programmes and new alliances for the future. I am delighted that HKMU has so much more to offer as we continue to grow and evolve.
Prof. Paul Lam Kwan-sing
November 2025
