Institution soars to new heights with academic excellence, record-high enrollment, and a legacy of innovation

Since its founding in 1999, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s School of Professional Education and Executive Development (PolyU SPEED) has established itself as a leading institution in Hong Kong’s self-financing tertiary education sector, known for its industry-aligned programs, global accreditation, and strong graduate outcomes.

Marking its 25th anniversary under the theme “Carrying Forward 25 Years of Legacy, Illuminating the Path Ahead”, the school continues to empower students with practical skills and internationally recognized qualifications.

Degrees with global standing

Graduates earn a well-recognized degree awarded by PolyU, a top-100 university in the world. It climbed to a record-high 57th place in the 2025 QS World University Rankings and 84th in the 2025 Times Higher Education World University Rankings. This gives PolyU SPEED graduates a significant competitive advantage in both local and international job markets.

A crowning achievement in PolyU SPEED’s journey came in 2022 when it became Hong Kong’s first self-financed institution to earn AACSB accreditation for its business-related degree programs. This elite distinction, held by fewer than 6 percent of business schools worldwide, places PolyU SPEED among the global leaders in business education.

READ MORE: PolyU SPEED leads AI-integrated education to embrace the future

“Our graduates leave not only with a degree that carries weight and respect in both the academic and professional worlds but with a passport to global opportunities,” said PolyU SPEED Director Dr Jason Chan, MH, JP.

To facilitate the career development of students and graduates, PolyU SPEED maintains close links with professional bodies, embracing its vision of offering professionally oriented programs in Hong Kong. A wide range of undergraduate top-up degree programs are accredited and recognized by nearly 30 professional organizations.

The tangible benefits of PolyU SPEED’s widely recognized programs are evident in graduate outcomes.

“The program (BSc (Hons) in Surveying) is professionally accredited by the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in the UK, etc; this is beneficial for graduates to obtain relevant licenses to become a professional surveyor,” said Victoria Chan, an assistant quantity surveyor and a PolyU SPEED 2023 graduate.

Zeng Binying, a current student pursuing the BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering, said he enrolled in the program because it is accredited by The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers and offered by PolyU, highlighting both academic and professional recognition of the program.

“As a mainland student, I am extremely grateful for this cross-border educational experience, which has allowed me to pursue my dreams on an international platform and pave a broader path for my future,” Zeng said.

Expanded program offerings

From its modest beginnings in 1999, offering certificate and diploma programs as well as short courses, PolyU SPEED has grown into a comprehensive institution, providing over 70 full-time and part-time undergraduate top-up degree and master’s degree programs.

A record-high enrollment of new students in the 2024-25 academic year adds significant meaning to PolyU SPEED’s 25th anniversary milestone.

PolyU SPEED offers 32 full-time and 22 part-time undergraduate top-up degree programs in four strategic areas and ten academic disciplines, including five full-time and five part-time applied degree programs.

Apart from traditional subjects such as business and finance, engineering, language and communication, marketing and social sciences, PolyU SPEED also meets the rising demand for technology-savvy professionals by offering programs in sought-after areas such as data science and artificial intelligence, to equip students with cutting-edge skills in data analytics, statistics, deep learning, and more.

“I embarked on a journey of intellectual growth at PolyU SPEED. Lecturers here ignited my curiosity with their engaging lectures and encouraged me to explore uncharted territories. Their mentorship extended beyond the classroom, shaping not only my academic path but also my character,” said Shirley Mei, a graduate with a BSc (Hons) in Applied Sciences (Statistics and Data Science), since retitled BSc (Hons) in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence.

In the 2024-25 academic year, PolyU SPEED launched applied degree and master’s degree programs for the first time in order to keep up with the ever-changing market trends and to nurture industry professionals. Six full-time and six part-time new master’s degree programs will be offered for the September 2025 semester, covering some of the most popular and in-demand fields such as AI and emerging technologies, AI and technology-assisted language teaching, Chinese creative writing, construction law and dispute resolution, digital business, and sustainable tourism.

Generous scholarship

PolyU SPEED demonstrates its commitment to student success by offering generous scholarships of up to HK$110,000 ($14,018) for 2025-26 new students. The school also facilitates cultural and educational exchanges with countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative by offering the Belt and Road Scholarship, enabling outstanding tertiary and high school graduates from these regions to study at PolyU SPEED.

This aligns with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government’s efforts to promote the “Study in Hong Kong” brand, which aims to position the city as an ideal destination for international students and a global education hub.

Seamless 2+2 pathway

PolyU SPEED also works closely with PolyU’s Hong Kong Community College (PolyU HKCC) to offer seamless educational progression through the “2+2” articulation pathway.

This initiative encourages secondary school graduates to embark on an academic journey that begins with PolyU HKCC’s associate degree or higher diploma programs and progresses to PolyU SPEED’s undergraduate top-up degree programs and obtain a degree awarded by PolyU.

“This pathway underscores our shared vision of creating a continuum of learning that supports our students’ academic and professional aspirations,” Chan said.

To foster connections between graduates and their alma mater, PolyU SPEED established the SPEED Alumni Association to maintain an extensive alumni network, helping graduates network with professionals across various fields. Graduates are also able to join the Federation of PolyU Alumni Associations with 400,000 members to enjoy various alumni privileges and services offered by PolyU.

Driving innovation

Over the past 25 years, PolyU SPEED has not only been dedicated to talent cultivation but also faculty qualifications and research excellence. Most of its lecturers possess doctoral degrees awarded by the world’s top 100 universities, including professors ranking among the top 1 percent of scholars or the top 2 percent of scientists worldwide.

PolyU SPEED’s research excellence has earned top-three rankings in Hong Kong’s self-financing sector for four consecutive years. The school’s 2024-25 research achievements include securing HK$8.75 million in RGC funding for 15 projects addressing critical areas like sustainable energy, AI-driven education, and healthcare policy.

With 25 years of its education legacy speaking for itself, PolyU SPEED has achieved numerous milestones, setting itself apart in the self-financing tertiary education sector. It aims to illuminate the future path for students and the school itself.

“PolyU SPEED aspires to be a beacon of enlightenment, inspiring this generation to shape their own future. We also hope they will, in turn, enlighten the next generation — carrying forward a legacy of inspiration and growth,” Chan said.

Contact the writer at garychiu@chinadailyhk.com