Global reach, innovation prioritized

Students of City University of Hong Kong (Dongguan) take a group photo during a study tour to Singapore in June 2025. CHINA DAILY

City University of Hong Kong (Dongguan) upholds the academic excellence of its parent institution, City University of Hong Kong, by offering world-class educational resources and fostering innovative education.

With a globally recruited faculty and state-of-the-art research facilities, the university provides students with an internationalized learning experience while addressing the evolving needs of industries.

Building on CityUHK's advanced management practices, internationalized educational philosophy, exceptional research capabilities and innovative teaching methodologies, CityUHK (DG) fosters a seamless and deep collaboration between the two campuses, bringing high-quality educational resources to the Chinese mainland.

CityUHK (DG)'s faculty consists of globally renowned scholars and professors from CityUHK, with 80 percent of the professional courses taught by CityUHK's faculty members. This arrangement ensures a consistent standard of academic excellence across both campuses.

Outstanding students at CityUHK(DG) can apply for exchange programs at CityUHK. They are also eligible for scholarships ranging from 200,000 to 1.6 million yuan ($29,571 to $236,553), providing students with financial support to pursue academic excellence.

On April 23, CityUHK and CityUHK (DG) launched shared research laboratories on the Dongguan campus. The 3,000-square-meter research space serves as a key platform for cross-border collaboration and is accessible to CityUHK researchers. It provides students with opportunities for exchange and internships, while allowing the participation of CityUHK researchers in mainland projects.

As of the launch date, 24 projects from CityUHK had applied to use the facility. These projects focus on fields such as smart transportation, marine biomimetic intelligence and advanced nanomaterials.

In the 2025 academic year, around 200 students benefited from exchange and study programs jointly hosted by CityUHK and CityUHK(DG). During a summer program at CityUHK, CityUHK (DG) students attended lectures delivered by experts on topics such as data science and cybersecurity, engaged with industry leaders, and visited important landmarks across Hong Kong, including the Legislative Council and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority.

In April, the first projects under the Guangdong-Hong Kong Universities "1+1+1" Joint Research Collaboration Scheme were launched. Fifteen projects had received funding from the Guangdong Provincial Department of Science and Technology, CityUHK and CityUHK (DG). These projects span areas such as digital society, smart cities, emerging materials, new energy and intelligent manufacturing.

Building on CityUHK's research excellence, CityUHK (DG) partnered with the Dongguan science and technology bureau to establish the CityUHK (DG) Technology and Innovation Centre. The center creates an ecosystem for competition-based incubation, technological advancement and financial resources, bridging research with industrial needs in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Leveraging resources from its parent institution, CityUHK (DG) has achieved a high level of internationalization. All courses are taught in English. This language policy helps students stay competitive in a global academic environment. In addition, regular international academic conferences and lectures expose students to ideas from around the world.

Liu Yifan, an undergraduate student in energy and power engineering, said that although English instruction and a curriculum benchmarked to Hong Kong standards are challenging, they broaden intellectual horizons.

"I have learned to approach scientific problems through diverse perspectives and to apply my knowledge effectively. After adapting to this learning environment, my gains have exceeded my expectations," Liu said.

CityUHK (DG) has launched 15 international exchange and study programs, forging ties with 42 distinguished institutions such as the University of Cambridge, University College London and Utrecht University. Study tours to countries including Singapore, Japan and France have offered students valuable exposure to international experiences. Nearly half of the university's first cohort of undergraduates and postgraduates have participated in these programs.

During an innovation-themed tour to Singapore in June 2025, 25 students visited institutions such as the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University. They also toured industrial hubs and experienced smart technologies at Changi Airport, gaining a first-hand understanding of the city-state's advancements in education and technology.

To further strengthen international collaboration, CityUHK (DG) signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of Cambridge in December 2025. This collaboration further fosters global exchanges for students and faculty alike. That same year, CityUHK(DG) welcomed its first cohort of international undergraduate students. Vice-President Chiu Chi-yue has pledged to expand international student enrollment, viewing cultural diversity as a catalyst for academic innovation.

Innovation, alongside internationalization, is central to CityUHK(DG)'s mission. The university provides students with pathways to explore their potential, combining research opportunities with industry interactions.

Since its establishment, the university has continually innovated in program design, teaching methodologies and academic pathways, offering forward-thinking programs in disciplines including intelligent manufacturing, new energy, computer science and advanced materials.

Vice-President Li Juan said: "Our courses are built on exploration and innovation. We ensure that every student engages in original research, enabling them to generate, communicate and refine new knowledge."

Currently, CityUHK (DG) offers five undergraduate programs in computer science, intelligent manufacturing and other fields. It also offers master's programs in fields such as biomedical engineering, venture creation, and materials engineering and nanotechnology. These programs address national priorities while aligning Hong Kong's strengths with the development needs of the Greater Bay Area. For example, the materials engineering and nanotechnology program aligns with Guangdong's expanding advanced materials sector.

Experiential learning is highly valued at CityUHK (DG). Wang Chenyu, an undergraduate in intelligent manufacturing engineering, is working on a path-planning project for industrial robots. "Our access to advanced laboratory equipment at the undergraduate level allows us to complete projects in real-world settings, effectively addressing enterprises' needs," he said.

Students also benefit from collaborations with leading tech enterprises and facilities in the Songshan Lake Science City, where the university is located. Postgraduate student Su Wenyan joined the superconducting thin-film team at the Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory during her first semester and participated in magnet encapsulation research.

"The internship allowed me to delve into cutting-edge topics and experience the seamless integration of theory and practice, which has further strengthened my determination to pursue scientific research," she said.

Students work on small vehicles powered by Robot Operating System, or ROS, at City University of Hong Kong (Dongguan). CHINA DAILY