How City University of Hong Kong is advancing a truly international approach to innovation
Recognised as Times Higher Education’s most international university in the world, City University of Hong Kong is aiming to transform the region into a global hub for higher education
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Regardless of their locality, universities do not exist in a vacuum. They contribute to and benefit from the higher education sector’s diverse global outlook. City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) will lead in the sector’s ongoing internationalisation. These spearheading initiatives align with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s vision of establishing Hong Kong as an international hub for higher education.
Under the leadership of Freddy Boey, distinguished professor and president of CityUHK, the university has embraced a transformative approach marked by innovation, international collaboration and academic excellence. “In the 2025 THE World University Rankings, CityUHK secured the 78th position and was recognised as the most international university in the world for 2024 and 2025,” Boey explains. “These accolades underscore CityUHK’s dedication to fostering a diverse, inclusive academic environment that attracts top talent from across the globe.”
CityUHK’s global outlook is integral to its academic and research excellence. The university has forged partnerships with more than 30 top international universities and research institutions, providing unparalleled collaboration and knowledge exchange opportunities for faculty and students. These partnerships span continents, from Asia to Europe and North America, ensuring that CityUHK’s community is engaged with world-class peers and innovative research.
“At CityUHK, we value recognition from Times Higher Education as one of the world’s most international universities enormously,” Boey says. “This accolade reflects the university’s efforts to create a vibrant academic environment that attracts top international students and faculty. For instance, our Distinguished Visiting Professors Scheme has brought more than 50 renowned scholars from prestigious institutions such as Harvard University, the University of Cambridge, and MIT to collaborate with CityUHK’s faculty and students, promoting interdisciplinary research and innovation.”
In addition, CityUHK offers unique academic programmes and exchange opportunities designed to enrich international students' educational experience. Newly established institutions, such as the CityUHK Academy of Innovation and the Hong Kong Institute of AI for Science, foster interdisciplinary collaboration and promote international partnerships. These initiatives build a global talent pool in Hong Kong, reinforcing CityUHK’s position as a top study destination.
“CityUHK’s collaboration with the University of Cambridge marks a significant milestone,” Boey says. “Multiple MoUs and agreements have been signed, and the partnership is deepening further through joint postdoctoral fellowship schemes and research master’s programmes. These initiatives aim to nurture local talent and reduce reliance on overseas research personnel, benefiting individual institutions and wider society.”
Looking to the future, CityUHK is committed to further enhancing its international standing and reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as a top study destination. Organising and participating in events that draw in stakeholders from industry, government, and academia will be vital to this drive.
“In September, the university will co-organise the Digital Health Asia 2025 event with Times Higher Education, attracting top-tier speakers from globally renowned universities,” Boey says. “This world-class event will showcase our university’s commitment to promoting digital health, interdisciplinary research and collaboration while strengthening cross-region partnerships.”
Global challenges, from the environmental to the economic, will require global input. With CityUHK at its heart, Hong Kong aims to be the focal point for this input.