Foreword by
Council Chairman

For 58 years, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has been a powerful force in both the local and international higher education sectors. We have always been guided by our mission to assist in the preservation, creation, application and dissemination of knowledge to serve the well-being of the citizens of Hong Kong, China and beyond. We aspire to become a first-class comprehensive research university whose scholarly output and contributions to the community meet the highest standards of excellence. And I am glad to note that CUHK is ranked 7th in Asia by the Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings and 39th in the world by the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings. It is ranked third in ShanghaiRanking’s Ranking of Top Universities in Greater China, and came up first among Hong Kong’s universities. All this is a fine tribute to the members of the University community who have turned this institution into one of Asia’s—and the world’s—finest.

But there is no room for complacency. To keep the momentum going, we have prepared and implemented strategic plans that aim to steer us through the challenges of a fast-changing world, set forth new goals for tomorrow’s young leaders and chart new directions in the areas of teaching, research and knowledge transfer.

I am delighted to report that all of our strategic plans have served us well and laid a firm foundation for our development through the years. A strategic plan is more than a wish list; it includes an in-depth analysis of our opportunities and strengths and offers ways to leverage these to meet future challenges and thus benefit our students, staff, alumni, donors, supporters and other stakeholders. A strategic plan outlines our shared goals and the actions required to realize them. In summary, it contains the guidelines that will take us to a higher plane.

The Strategic Plan 2021–2025 (‘CUHK 2025’) is a good example of such an action plan. This comprehensive and insightful new plan sets forth new directions in key areas of the University’s development over the next five years. During this period, we must continue to navigate through challenges and realize our visions of a better tomorrow. Although we do not underestimate the difficulty involved, we earnestly cherish the opportunity to take the University to new heights.

I would like to thank all those who have played their part in the preparation of ‘CUHK 2025’: Prof. Rocky Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President, for his insights and leadership; Prof. Alan Chan, Provost, for his stewardship and careful craftsmanship; and the Chairpersons and Members of the seven sub-groups of the key areas for their hard work and tireless collaboration. Of course, this thank-you list would not be complete without my giving a vote of thanks to the staff and faculty members, students, alumni, donors, supporters and other stakeholders of the University who have lent their expertise and advice to make ‘CUHK 2025’ possible.

I therefore present this Strategic Plan to all of you who take an interest in the progress of this University. You can also contribute to this roadmap to further success by participating in or supporting our initiatives. Thank you.


Dr. Norman Leung Nai-pang 
Council Chairman

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