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COLLABORATING WITH THE WORLD’S MOST INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

On 27 August 2024, Prof Luc Sels, Rector of KU Leuven, and Prof Freddy Boey, President of the City University of Hong Kong (City UHK) signed an agreement in Leuven for more intensive cooperation in the fields of science, engineering and technology. For the Faculty of Engineering Technology and Group T Campus in particular, this agreement gives new impetus to the internationalisation of engineering education.

Fast-growing

Compared to the 600-year-old KU Leuven, City UHK is a very young institution. Founded in 1984 under the name Polytechnic of Hong Kong, it started with 480 full-time and 600 part-time students. After the completion of the new campus in 1990, the student population increased dramatically to 8,000 full-timers and 3,000 part-timers. Four years later, the Polytechnic was officially granted university status and changed its name to City University of Hong Kong. The brand-new university launched 4 undergraduate and 6 master’s programmes. Currently, City UHK has 10 colleges and schools offering 150 programmes in business, science, engineering, social sciences, law and veterinary medicine.

Innovative and international

City UHK profiles itself as a dynamic university that is fully committed to quality and innovation. It also plays on these strengths with initiatives such as the City U Heroes, which are outstanding students, alumni and faculty who serve as examples and role models of academic excellence. Their testimonials also show how they put their knowledge and skills at the service of society. In the tunnel connecting the campus to the Festival Wall, which is used by thousands of people every day, the photos and stories of the heroes are displayed on large posters.

In the QS World University Ranking, City UHK is ranked 62nd, just ahead of KU Leuven. This places City UHK among the top ten best universities in China. The university owes its high ranking in part to its high international faculty and student ratios. With more than 400 exchange partners in 45 countries, City UHK ranks among the most International Universities in the world. Almost 80% of undergraduate students spend part of their study time abroad. For KU Leuven, which is also making every effort to become a truly international university, City UHK is an excellent sparring partner.

Yves Persoons

© Joren De Weerdt
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