The City University of Hong Kong (CityU) is a publicresearch university located in Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong. It was founded in 1984 as the City Polytechnic of Hong Kong and became a fully accredited university in 1994.
The university currently has nine main schools offering courses in business, science, engineering, liberal arts and social sciences, law, and veterinary medicine, along with the Chow Yei Ching School of Graduate Studies, CityU Shenzhen Research Institute, and Hong Kong Institute for Advanced Study.
History
City University's origins lie in the calls for a "second polytechnic" in the years following the 1972 establishment of the Hong Kong Polytechnic. In 1982, Executive Council member Chung Sze-yuen spoke of a general consensus that "a second polytechnic of similar size to the first should be built as soon as possible."[3] District administrators from Tuen Mun and Tsuen Wan lobbied the government to build the new institution in their respective new towns.[3] The government instead purchased temporary premises at the new Argyle Centre Tower II in Mong Kok, a property developed by the Mass Transit Railway Corporation in concert with the then-Argyle station. The new school was called City Polytechnic of Hong Kong, a name chosen among nearly 300 suggestions made by members of the public.[4]
The new polytechnic opened on 8 October 1984, welcoming 480 full-time and 680 part-time students.[5] The provision for part-time students contributed to high enrolment, with the quota being filled almost immediately.[5]
A tract of land on the former site of a village named Chu Koo Chai [yue] was chosen for the new campus.[6] The architectural contract to design the campus was won by Percy Thomas Partnership in association with Alan Fitch and W.N. Chung.[7] It was originally slated to open by October 1988.[8] The first phase was officially opened by Governor Wilson on 15 January 1990, and boasted 14 lecture theatres and 1,500 computers.[9] By 1991, the school had over 8,000 full-time students and approximately 3,000 part-time students.[10] The second phase of the permanent campus opened 1993.[7]
The school achieved university status in 1994 and the name was changed accordingly.[11]
In 2023, to welcome the start of the new academic year, CityU launched CityU Heroes, stories about outstanding alumni, students and faculty that demonstrate CityU's determination to pursue academic excellence and illustrate how to realise their dreams and give back to society through learning-centric pedagogy. The tunnel connecting the CityU campus to Festival Walk proudly champions the stories of the CityU Heroes. Visitors passing through the new-look thoroughfare can access QR codes to learn more about the 12 featured CityU Heroes.
Campus
City University of Hong Kong occupies an urban campus located in Kowloon. The official address is Tat Chee Avenue,[12]Kowloon Tong, Kowloon. Administratively, it is part of Sham Shui Po District.[13] Certain buildings of the main campus are marked as located in the Shek Kip Mei neighbourhood instead of Kowloon Tong in the official address book, such as Nam Shan Building.[14]
Yeung Kin Man Academic Building, formerly known as Academic 1,[15] was also called "Academic Building"[16][17][18][19] before the completion of Academic 2. It was completed in stages from 1989 to 1994. The floor area is 63,000 m2 (680,000 sq ft), and includes 116 laboratories, 18 lecture halls, classrooms and canteens. The building is divided by colour, in order of purple zone (P), green zone (G), blue zone (B), yellow zone (Y) and red zone (R). Except for the lecture halls, all classrooms and laboratories are numbered by their colour divisions.
Yeung Kin Man Academic Building, CityU
Entrance to YKM Academic Building
YKM Academic Building, 2019
YKM Academic Building, 2019
YKM Academic Building, 2019
YKM Academic Building, 2019
Li Dak Sum Yip Yio Chin Academic Building (Academic 2)
Li Dak Sum Yip Yio Chin Academic Building, previously called Academic 2,[20] was designed by architecture firm Aedas. With a total area of 20,900 m2 (225,000 sq ft), it is located on the slope behind the sports complex on the campus, and is equipped with a resource centre, design room, computer room, language practice room, and student dining hall, classrooms, lecture halls, audio-visual rooms, multi-purpose activity rooms and sky gardens.
Li Dak Sum Yip Yio Chin Academic Building, CityU
AC2 Void 1, 2011
Multi-functional room, 2019
Main Entrance, AC2, 2011
AC2, 2019
Lau Ming Wai Academic Building (Academic 3)
Lau Ming Wai Academic Building was called Academic 3.[21] The academic building project is divided into two phases. The first phase is a 20-storey high-rise building, and the second phase is a five-storey low-rise building with a total usable area of 20,500 m2 (221,000 sq ft). It is the tallest building in CityU. Facilities include a 600-seat auditorium, classrooms, information technology laboratories, millimetre wave state key laboratories, restaurants, learning shared spaces, and administrative offices.[22] The building was designed by the Hong Kong architectural firm Ronald Lu & Partners. The third and sixth floors are connected to the Li Dak Sum Yip Yio Chin Academic Building, while the fifth to seventh floors are connected to the student dormitory and Shaw Creative Media Centre. There are also terrace gardens on the 6th, 7th and 8th floors.
Run Run Shaw Creative Media Centre was completed in 2011.[23] It was designed by Daniel Libeskind cooperating with Leigh and Orange Ltd., and received several awards for its design.[24] The building houses the university's School of Creative Media, the Centre for Applied Computing and Interactive Media and the computer science, media and communication, and English departments.[25]
Run Run Shaw Creative Media Centre
Run Run Shaw Creative Media Centre
Entrance
Entrance
Level 5
Jockey Club One Health Tower
Hu Fa Kuang Sports Centre was a five-storey sports centre which houses a multi-purpose hall and four practice gymnasiums for badminton, basketball, volleyball, martial arts and dance, and other activities. In May 2016, the sports hall roof collapsed due to the weight imposed by a new green roof placed on top.[26]
Construction work commenced in November 2017 on the Jockey Club One Health Tower at the site of the former sports hall. The work is expected to be completed in 2025.[27]
CityU International Centre
A ground-breaking ceremony was held for the CityU International Centre on 29 November, 2021. Scheduled to open at the end of 2023, this unique building demonstrates CityU's vision to develop as a modern campus where students from around the world can meet in a convenient and comfortable environment.
Governance
Established in 1984 under Chapter 1132 of the Laws of Hong Kong (City University of Hong Kong Ordinance),[28] CityU is one of the eight statutory universities in Hong Kong.
The council is the supreme governing body of the university. The chief executive of Hong Kong has the power to appoint 15 of the 23 council members, seven of which are named directly and eight appointed upon recommendation of the council. The chief executive can also appoint the chairman, deputy and treasurer; the vice-chancellor is in turn appointed by the council.[29]
Senate
The senate serves as the supreme academic body of the university and is responsible for deciding and reforming the university's academic policies. It is mainly composed of academic staff members but also includes the two representatives of the Students' Union and a representative of CityU Postgraduate Association.[30]
Academic organisation
The university's teaching units are grouped under 10 colleges and schools, offering over 150 postgraduate, undergraduate taught programmes.[31]
College/School
Departments
College of Business
Department of Accountancy
Department of Economics and Finance
Department of Information Systems
Department of Management
Department of Marketing
Department of Management Sciences
College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Department of Chinese and History
Department of Media and Communication
Department of English
Chan Feng Men-ling Chan Shuk-lin Language Centre
Department of Linguistics and Translation
Department of Public and International Affairs
Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences
College of Engineering
Department of Systems Engineering
Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering
Department of Biomedical Engineering
Division of Building Science and Technology
Department of Computer Science
Department of Electrical Engineering
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
College of Science
Department of Chemistry
Department of Mathematics
Department of Physics
Department of Biostatistics
Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences
Department of Biomedical Sciences
Department of Neuroscience
Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health
In the QS World University Rankings by Broad Subject Area 2024:
Broad Subject Area
CityUHK's World Rank
Social Sciences and Management
100
Engineering and Technology
147
Arts amd Humanities
151
Natural Sciences
183
Life Sciences and Medicine
401-450
THE Subject Ranking
In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subjects (2024):
Subject
CityUHK's World Rank
Engineering
52
Law
45
Business and Economics
48
Physical Sciences
65
Computer Science
64
Social Sciences
98
Life Sciences
99
Arts & Humanities
126–150
GRAS (ARWU subject rankings)
In the 2023 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS):
Subject (only subjects ranked among top 50 are listed)
CityUHK's World Rank
Library & Information Science
1
Automation & Control
8
Energy Science & Engineering
9
Metallurgical Engineering
10
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
17
Management
21
Materials Science & Engineering
21
Public Administration
23
Civil Engineering
27
Computer Science & Engineering
29
Instruments Science & Technology
32
Transportation Science & Technology
32
Telecommunication Engineering
36
Chemistry
43
Electrical & Electronic Engineering
45
Mechanical Engineering
46
Business Administration
47
Chemical Engineering
47
Graduate Employability Ranking
CityUHK graduates were ranked 89th worldwide in the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022.[42]
Student life
Student residence
Student residences are located on Cornwall Street, near Lau Ming Wai academic building. They provide housing and recreational space for undergraduates and postgraduates. Among them, halls 1 to 9 were designed by the British firm RMJM, while halls 10 and 11 were designed by P&T Group. Most halls are named after donors:[43]
Construction work for the 5th phase of the Student Hostel project at Whitehead, Ma On Shan commenced in March 2022. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2023, and tentatively in use by 2024, providing more than 2,000 bed-spaces for CityU undergraduates and postgraduates.
Undergraduates: Jockey Club Humanity Hall (Hall 1), HSBC Prosperity Hall (Hall 2), Alumni Civility Hall (Hall 3), Jockey Club Academy Hall (Hall 4), Chan Sui Kau Hall (Hall 5), Lee Shau Kee Hall (Hall 6), Jockey Club Harmony Hall (Hall 7), Sir Gordon and Lady Ivy Wu Hall (Hall 9), Hall 10, Hall 11
Research postgraduates: Yip Yuen Yuk Hing Hall (Hall 8), Jockey Club House
The university also provides off-campus accommodation and short term accommodation for non-local students.
Student clubs
Student clubs in CityU are diverse. There are more than 80 clubs from interest groups, residents’ associations and departmental Societies, along with cultural groups including orchestra, choir and debate teams.[44]
Sport teams
Sport teams are mentored by Student Development Services. In April 2017, they have extended their dominance in sports competitions by winning a record-breaking ninth Grand Slam in the 2016-2017 annual sports competitions.[45]
There are 18 sports teams in total. The university has over 400 athletes in 16 sports events.[46]
Athletics
Badminton
Basketball
Cross country
Dragon boat
Fencing
Handball
Karatedo
Rugby
Soccer
Squash
Swimming
Table tennis
Taekwondo
Tennis
Volleyball
Woodball
Water polo
Publications
City University of Hong Kong Press
The City University of Hong Kong Press was founded in 1996 as the publishing arm of the university.[47] It mainly publishes three types of publications: academic works, professional books, and books of general interest and social concern. The press focuses on China studies, Hong Kong studies, Asian studies, politics and public policy.
One of the Kirin sculptures near the main entrance
ACAD2
CityU AC2
Run Run Shaw Creative Media Centre
Aerial view of the Student Residences
Escalators inside the Festival Walk mall connecting to CityU
Kowloon Tong MTR Station
Incidents
Shut down of MFA in Creative Writing
In April 2015, CityU shut down the programme of Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. Students and alumni launched a petition against the decision while faculty and noted international writers issued an open letter questioning the reasoning behind the closure.[63] Canadian novelist and faculty member Madeleine Thien, writing in The Guardian, was among those who attributed the decision to censorship and diminishing freedom of expression in Hong Kong.[64]
Collapse of roof of sports hall
On 20 May 2016, the roof structure of the Chan Tai Ho Multi-purpose Hall (the Sports Hall) in the Hu Fa Kuang Sports Centre (the Sports Centre) collapsed. Two staff members of CityU sustained minor injuries and a third individual was in shock. The venue was originally scheduled to hold an annual celebration banquet on that night for 700–800 CityU student athletes.[65] The investigation report released by the Buildings Department said three factors contributed to the collapse: (1) a leveled layer of material applied to the surface of the roof structure being thicker than the original design, (2) the laying of greenery on the roof, and (3) large puddles of water.[66] CityU did not seek separate advice from an independent surveyor to conduct feasibility studies and designs before tendering out the project to consultants or contractors. A report by CityU's investigation committee concluded that the surveyor of the green roof project was to be held liable for the collapse despite his repeated denial of involvement in the works.[67] It was reported that CityU vice-president Sunny Lee Wai-kwong (who oversaw the Campus Development and Facilities Office) escaped liability while technical staff would face disciplinary action.[67]
QS ranking dispute
In 2017, CityU was accused of providing misleading information to Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) to boost its university rankings.[68][69] The QS review, however, confirmed that the data submitted by CityU was accurate. CityU would submit the case to an external audit firm to verify the data.[69] In January 2018, CityU issued a statement stating that it had commissioned an accounting firm to complete an independent review of the student data declared by CityU and confirmed that it found no declarations that did not meet the scope of QS requirements.[70]
Chinese Judge Meeting on campus
On 20 October 2018, National Judges College under the Supreme People's Court of China uploaded an article to its website about a meeting held by "provisional branches of the Chinese Communist Party" at CityU. According to the article, 39 party members, including Huang Wenjun, president and party secretary of the National Judges College and 11 non-party members, attended the meeting and gave a lecture. Huang told attendees that judges must take a "clear-cut stance" on politics, increase their political sensitivity, learn socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era led by the Communist Party leaderXi Jinping, and should fight against "incorrect words and deeds."[71][72] Despite the fact that the party branches were formed by Chinese judges who studied at CityU, Professor Lin Feng (associate dean of CityU's law school) who liaised with the college in organizing the courses, said the lecture "had caught the faculty by surprise". Pro-Beijing legislator Priscilla Leung Mei-fun, an associate law professor at CityU, refused to comment, claiming that she was not aware of the arrangement.[72] Spokesperson for CityU said it maintains political neutrality and that no activities involving politics should be held on campus.[71]
Intervention of students' academic autonomy
In October 2019, Professor Tan who was teaching a digital marketing course sent an email to the students, which warned the students not to deliver any political messages in class presentations or they will be given zero marks. The e-mail caused dissatisfaction among students.[73] Pro-democracy group Frontline Technology Workers pointed out that the presentations were relevant to the course although it was touching the social taboo.[74] They also highlighted academic journal articles which discussed the relationship between politics and marketing.[75][76][77] Students' Union questioned university's promise on academic autonomy.[78]
New campus security measures
In November 2019, CityU barred all students from entering the campus and the student hostel area as some of the facilities had been damaged by the protestors during the Siege of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. On 30 November, CityU reopened the campus but staff and students were required to present their identity cards to gain entry.[79] By December, hoarding panels had been built around the whole campus and turnstiles had been installed at all entrances. CityU issued a press release, stating that the vast majority of members of the Senate and the Court of CityU supported the security measures and the installation of an electronic access system.[80] The Student Union stressed that it opposed and had voted in the Court's meeting against the installation of turnstiles. The Student Union quoted an earlier questionnaire survey conducted by CityU Staff Association, stating that most of the respondents agreed that "university campuses should be opened to the public." The Student Union has repeatedly expressed objections to the university's policy of prohibiting public access to the campus and urged the university to consult teachers and students on the issue.[80]
^ abChan, Garmen (10 May 1982). "Districts launch polytechnic lobby". South China Morning Post.
^"It's City Polytechnic...with degree courses". Hong Kong Standard. 26 April 1983.
^ ab"City Poly opens doors to over 1,000 students". Hong Kong Standard. 10 October 1984.
^"【逃犯條例】遭「罷買」的又一城曾是寮屋區 中資股東已成過去式". Yahoo News (in Chinese (Taiwan)). hk01. 28 September 2019. Archived from the original on 9 November 2021. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
^"World University Rankings". Times Higher Education (THE). 28 September 2023. Archived from the original on 28 September 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
^"KAM Nai Wai's Profile". 2008-2012 Work Report of Legislative Councillor KAM Nai-Wai. Archived from the original on 30 June 2018. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
^"Hon Paul TSE Wai-chun, JP". Members' Biographies. The Legislative Council Commission. Archived from the original on 11 October 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
^"Hon LAU Kong-wah". Member of the Legislative Council. The Legislative Council Commission. Archived from the original on 25 April 2006. Retrieved 6 October 2014. M. Phil., City Polytechnic of Hong Kong
^ ab被質疑向QS報細學生數 城大交會計師行審查. Ming Pao (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Media Chinese International. 13 November 2017. Archived from the original on 4 October 2018. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
^"修例風波:禁學生簡報宣揚政治 城大教授被質疑製白色恐怖". on.cc東網 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). 19 October 2019. Archived from the original on 10 November 2019. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
^"前線科技人員". www.facebook.com (in Simplified Chinese). Archived from the original on 29 March 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
^Holbert, R. Lance; Hmielowski, Jay; Jain, Parul; Lather, Julie; Morey, Alyssa (1 March 2011). "Adding Nuance to the Study of Political Humor Effects: Experimental Research on Juvenalian Satire Versus Horatian Satire". American Behavioral Scientist. 55 (3): 187–211. doi:10.1177/0002764210392156. ISSN0002-7642. S2CID145783711.
^Moufahim, Mona; Humphreys, Michael; Mitussis, Darryn; Fitchett, James (1 June 2007). "Interpreting discourse: a critical discourse analysis of the marketing of an extreme right party". Journal of Marketing Management. 23 (5–6): 537–558. doi:10.1362/026725707X212829. ISSN0267-257X. S2CID143368512.
City City (disambiguation) Zamboanga City Global city Smart city City-state Cotabato City City & State Oklahoma City The City Dawson City Davao City Chihuahua City Jilin City Kansas City, Kansas The City & the City Capital City Quezon City Circuit City Tarlac City Kansas City, Missouri Panama City Temple City, California Cebu City City of Light Cañon City, Colorado Texas City, Texas Johnson City, Tennessee Velo-city Kansas City City Hall Jeju City New York City Department of City Planning Consolidated city-county Holy city Core city Traverse City, Michigan Sioux City, Iowa City of London Iloi…
lo City Lists of city flags Sadr City Quebec City Freedom of the City Universal City/Studio City station Culver City, California Tipp City, Ohio City-building game Mexico City Panama City, Florida Lake City, Florida Independent city Cities of the Philippines Sister city Jefferson City, Missouri City status in the United Kingdom City of Heroes Garden City, Kansas Lego City City Hall of Quebec City Emerald City Cooper City, Florida Bay City, Michigan Carfree city City attorney Sin City Gaza City National City, California California City, California Morgan City, Louisiana River city City Point (Brooklyn) Arkansas City, Kansas Taitung City Atlantic City, New Jersey Downtown Kansas City Guatemala City Araneta City Carson City, Nevada Old City Central City, Colorado City centre The Second City Cavite City Luxembourg City Yilan City City limits Belize City Batangas City City of Westminster Auckland City Missouri City, Texas Angeles City Manchester City W.F.C. City of Perth Ivy City Inner city Salt Lake City City of Ottawa Hualien City Corfu (city) HITEC City Freedom City Century City City of Melbourne Atlanta City Hall Midwest City, Oklahoma City Hall Station Seal of New York City Park Ci