CUHK
News Centre

In response to the 2025-26 Budget Speech today, Professor Dennis Lo, Vice-Chancellor and President of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), said: “CUHK understands the pressures currently facing public finances and we recognise the need for all sectors to work together while navigating these challenging times. The University will carefully study the potential impacts of the Budget measures on its operations and hopes to minimise any effects on teaching, research and other areas.

“At the same time, CUHK welcomes the series of measures introduced in the Budget that provide important opportunities to advance research, attract talent and foster cross-sector collaboration. These initiatives will help bolster Hong Kong’s position as an international hub for innovation, technology and post-secondary education. CUHK will continue to leverage its diverse academic strengths and strive to translate innovative research into practical applications. We hope the city’s higher education sector will build on its strong foundation of excellent research and teaching to further enhance Hong Kong’s role as an international hub and make an even greater contribution to accelerating technological and educational hub development.”

The government’s continued investment in innovation and technological development, particularly the establishment of a third InnoHK research cluster, the support for local universities to set up Life and Health Technology Research Institutes, the continuation of the “AI Subsidy Scheme” and the new round of the HK$1.5 billion Research Matching Grant Scheme all align well with CUHK’s strengths in biomedical sciences, artificial intelligence and sustainability. CUHK will accelerate its efforts in knowledge transfer and commercialisation of research outcomes. The six CUHK InnoHK Centres have consistently delivered outstanding results, ensuring that CUHK’s world-class research benefits society directly. These efforts will support Hong Kong’s development as an international innovation hub and contribute to the nation’s growth.

CUHK also expresses gratitude to the University Grants Committee (UGC) for the annual provision of the Teaching Development and Language Enhancement Grant (TDLEG) to the UGC-funded universities. This funding has increased by HK$38.6 million to HK$819.8 million, which helps universities to enhance teaching quality and the language proficiency of their students.

On top of the Budget’s proposal to increase the quota for the “Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme” to 400 per year, CUHK will continue to support the government’s “Study in Hong Kong” initiative by expanding international partnerships, attracting more international students and scholars, and fostering greater academic exchange. The newly established Zhizhen School of Interdisciplinary Mathematical Sciences at CUHK is dedicated to nurturing talent in mathematical sciences. This initiative will not only promote the “Study in Hong Kong” brand but also enhance Hong Kong’s global competitiveness in innovation and research. CUHK is also recruiting global research talent through initiatives such as the Vice-Chancellor Early Career Professorship Scheme and the Global STEM Professorship Scheme, bringing top talent from around the world to Hong Kong.

Artificial intelligence is one of CUHK’s key research priorities. Offering the Artificial Intelligence: Systems and Technologies programme, CUHK enjoys an AI subject ranking that is consistently among the best in the world. In the future, CUHK will strengthen its efforts in AI research and education. CUHK-Shenzhen, the first comprehensive research university established in mainland China by a Hong Kong academic institution, recently announced the establishment of its School of Artificial Intelligence, with enhanced collaboration and resource-sharing with CUHK.

CUHK will also participate in the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town, leveraging the strategic location of its campus to strengthen collaboration with institutions and organisations in the Greater Bay Area (GBA). Working together, CUHK and GBA partners will drive innovation and technological development.

CUHK will continue to collaborate with the government and all sectors of society to address challenges and promote the long-term development of higher education and research in Hong Kong.