The University of Hong Kong, while attracting top-tier global talent, nurturing local experts, and fostering international collaborations, has propelled the prosperity of the city, the nation, and the world through its advancements in education, science and innovations, says its president and vice-chancellor, Zhang Xiang, when talking to Wu Kunling.
Editor’s note: Education is playing a key role in nurturing talent, fostering intellectual discourse, and driving progress in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. China Daily will present a series of interviews with university heads in the region on their perspectives, wisdom, and vision for future education development.
Amagnet for world-class scholars and researchers, the University of Hong Kong is the quintessence of nurturing local and international talents, as well as a bedrock of quality tertiary education. These attributes are what define the city’s oldest and most prestigious institution of higher learning.
Zhang Xiang — an esteemed academic who assumed office as HKU’s 16th president and vice-chancellor in 2018 and was reappointed for a second five-year term last year — says the institution’s remarkable internationalization and diversity have helped to propel the prosperity of the charming city and the nation, particularly in the realms of science and education.
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HKU has long aimed to be a home for global talent in Hong Kong, Asia’s world city, both in the past and moving forward. As an international expert acclaimed for his work in materials physics, Zhang exemplifies HKU’s appeal. His distinguished career includes serving as a chair professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and being a member of both the US National Academy of Engineering and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. In this context, both Hong Kong and HKU can act as a conduit or bridge between China and the global community, says Zhang.
Founded in 1911, HKU is recognized as one of the most internationalized and prestigious institutions of higher learning in Asia. The university fully understands the significance of attracting top talent and is committed to continuously enticing exceptional individuals. This includes globally renowned scholars and Nobel laureates who pave new paths and set trends in their disciplines.
Referencing the old Chinese saying “One general is worth a thousand troops,” which highlights the influence of exceptional individuals, Zhang points out that HKU has welcomed a host of distinguished scientists in past years. Notable among them is chemistry Nobel laureate Sir Fraser Stoddart.
The choice of such a luminary to further advance his career at HKU is clearly shaped by the city’s strong international character. Hong Kong’s multilingual environment and culture of inclusiveness provide HKU with a distinct advantage over many elite universities around the world.
Zhang emphasizes that creating a stimulating academic environment is vital for attracting global talent. However, it is equally important for nurturing local leaders who emerge from HKU. He notes that the presence of such esteemed local and global scholars is rare among Asian institutions, and they have played a key role in elevating HKU’s academic standing from 26th to 17th in the QS World University Rankings — the highest grading in the university’s history. Zhang says this has brought him immense pride and joy.
The university will continue to capitalize on this unique position to attract and nurture exceptional talents in the future, says Zhang.
Educational modernization
The scientist-turned-educator fully recognizes the modernization of education as a critical endeavor: it drives economic growth, offers opportunities for personal development, breaks cycles of poverty and inequality, enhances global competitiveness, and enriches cultural diversity. He envisions HKU playing a vital role in this process, not only by nurturing top-notch scholars but also by fostering an international and diverse student community.
The vibrant campus at Pok Fu Lam on western Hong Kong Island serves as a melting pot for students from over 90 countries. The university has also admitted top athlete-scholars, including two to the Faculty of Medicine, this year for the very first time.
HKU has also been actively recruiting and promoting initiatives worldwide, establishing international branches in countries like Israel and Vietnam.
Looking ahead, Zhang aims to attract more exceptional students from countries and regions with emerging economies, such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Middle East.
The HKU chief expresses great satisfaction in observing the vibrant cultural exchanges on the campus, where students from diverse backgrounds learn from one another. Drawing comparisons between HKU and the multicultural essence of Silicon Valley, he says the university seeks to inspire students’ creativity, preparing them to become future pioneers and contributors to international unity and development.
Describing HKU as “China’s international university”, Zhang emphasizes the importance of nurturing global minds while instilling an appreciation for Chinese culture and values. He highlights the university’s role in showcasing China’s journey of peaceful modernization, which represents a significant contribution to the nation’s international engagement and cultural outreach.
A key objective for Zhang as the university’s leader is to create an environment that is not only welcoming but also supportive of integrating international students and scientists into the local community, allowing them to stay and thrive in the world city of Asia. He believes that creating a comfortable, efficient, and culturally diverse environment is essential for helping newcomers feel included.
The welcoming environment can also be physical. Since his inauguration as HKU’s president and vice-chancellor, Zhang has prioritized enhancing campus facilities to support an exceptional long-term development environment.
HKU has made significant strides in expanding its grounds, including the construction of student dormitories, faculty residences, and state-of-the-art research facilities, some of which are already complete. Departments that previously could only accommodate theoretical researchers will now support collaborative work with scientists.
Early next year, the university’s research infrastructure will see a significant enhancement with the completion of Tech Landmark, a visionary project led by Zhang. Located on the main campus, this complex will serve as a hub for 10 research institutes, emphasizing interdisciplinary studies.
He hopes the project will alleviate HKU’s space constraints, enabling the university to attract a wider range of global talents and advance the development of the international educational academy he envisions.
Forging ahead
All these initiatives are central to Zhang’s second five-year term as the leader of HKU, which began last year. Since assuming the role in July 2018, he has guided the institution through a challenging period marked by social unrest in 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic, and internal issues such as the university’s salary reform.
Despite these tumultuous times, Zhang proudly highlights the remarkable research milestones achieved by HKU. During the height of the pandemic, the university’s research team gained international recognition for being the first to confirm human-to-human transmission of the COVID-19 virus and for developing an innovative nasal spray vaccine against it.
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He credits these successes to the solidarity and relentless efforts of HKU’s students and faculty, as well as their dedication to embracing diverse perspectives. Taking these to new heights, Zhang hopes to see the entire community, including students who just began their campus life this summer, continue their proactive and inclusive approach by engaging with a wide range of people, ideas, and disciplines.
Young people, he says, should move beyond narrow utilitarian thinking and embrace a boundless vision in their personal and professional journeys.
This year, eight of the top 10 scorers in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education examination opted to study medicine — a long-standing favorite among young elites. While Zhang acknowledges this choice is commendable, he highlights numerous emerging fields worth exploring, such as high-end innovation. He believes these industries hold significant potential for enriching Hong Kong’s economic landscape.
Turning to personal aspirations and life after his tenure at HKU, Zhang deems it premature to discuss specifics. However, he expresses excitement about the digital era in education, describing it as an “AI tsunami”. He hopes to collaborate with the education community to navigate the profound transformations that artificial intelligence is expected to bring to the sector.
Remaining deeply committed to the evolution of education, the veteran educator vows to stay vigilant on the horizon, saying he’s ready to navigate the ever-changing educational landscape.
Contact the writer at amberwu@chinadailyhk.com
