Milestone day as first students to graduate

Debut cohort of City University of Hong Kong (Dongguan) to receive degrees

The library at City University of Hong Kong (Dongguan) stands as an academic landmark. CHINA DAILY

On June 22, City University of Hong Kong (Dongguan) will host the graduation for its inaugural class of graduates. Over 400 students will celebrate the completion of their master's degree programs.

Many of the graduates have already received lucrative job offers from technology giants such as Tencent, Alibaba, ByteDance, Meituan, CATL, Oppo, Xiaomi, ZTE, China Mobile and State Grid Corporation of China, as well as major research institutions.

Some of those who pursue further studies have been accepted into the doctoral programs of prestigious institutions such as Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, City University of Hong Kong, Fudan University and Harbin Institute of Technology. These graduates' accomplishments mark a promising beginning for both themselves and the rapidly growing university.

In 2020, CityUHK reached an agreement with the Dongguan government to establish a joint educational initiative. In 2024, the Ministry of Education approved the establishment of CityUHK (DG) in Dongguan, a city in Guangdong province bordering Shenzhen. The new university admitted its first cohort of undergraduate and master's degree students that year.

CityUHK (DG) adheres to the educational philosophy of "integration of teaching and research, consistency in academic excellence across campuses and innovation into the future", drawing expertise and experience from CityUHK, its parent university.

CityUHK is internationally known for its academic excellence and internationalization. The university claimed seventh position in the QS Asia University Rankings 2026. It also received the top ranking on the Times Higher Education list of "The Most International Universities in the World" for 2024,2025 and 2026.

Backed by CityUHK's resourcefulness, the Dongguan campus is strategically focused on serving the future industrial transformation and upgrading of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and aims to become an open platform for interdisciplinary education, research and knowledge transfer.

During CityUHK (DG)'s Campus Open Day on May 1, Executive President Lu Chun, who also serves as vice-president of CityUHK, highlighted four highly valued competencies of the university's debut cohort: excellent academic performance, proactive mastery of cutting-edge technologies, hands-on experience from high-value competitions and internships at industry-leading enterprises, and leadership and innovative skills. These competencies cannot be replaced by artificial intelligence.

Lu noted that in the age of AI, CityUHK (DG) strives to cultivate versatile talents capable of adapting to societal shifts and becoming future rule-makers.

CityUHK (DG)'s Admissions Director Yin Rongrong said that the university has already enrolled two cohorts of students, with admission scores comparable to those of some Project 985 universities, which are often likened to the Ivy League.

Students who successfully complete their undergraduate studies at CityUHK (DG) will receive a graduation certificate and a degree certificate from CityUHK (DG), along with a degree certificate from CityUHK. Students finishing their master's studies will receive a degree certificate from CityUHK.

The CityUHK (DG) undergraduate curriculum is designed to ensure a smooth transition from high school to university. Freshmen at CityUHK (DG) can declare their major after completing their first year of exploration. Through general education courses, interdisciplinary lectures and applied projects, freshmen are exposed to different disciplines and their career prospects.

This exposure and exploration allow them to make informed major selections. Even after sophomores have selected their majors, they can still change majors twice, first at the conclusion of Semester A and then during Semester B of their second year of study.

Freshman Bao Yuting said: "The buffer period, combined with detailed explanations and industry interactions, has been very helpful in enabling us to select the most suitable major."

Strategically located in the Songshan Lake Science City, the Dongguan campus benefits from its proximity to cutting-edge research facilities. The university has turned this geographic advantage into collaborative success, signing agreements with more than 30 research institutions and corporations, including the Spallation Neutron Source Science Center and the Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory.

City University of Hong Kong (Dongguan)'s first class of master's students pose for graduation photos ahead of the ceremony. CHINA DAILY