Our President
Professor S. Joe Qin
President and Wai Kee Kau Chair Professor of Data Science
2 Sep 2025
Dear Lingnanians,
I trust that everyone has had a pleasant and restorative summer. As we commence a new academic year, I extend a cordial welcome to both new and returning students. It is encouraging to witness our campus once again energized by the presence of our community members. To our incoming students and staff, welcome to Lingnan; your contributions enhance the vitality of our academic environment. I would also like to express my appreciation to our alumni for their ongoing support and engagement, which are instrumental in shaping the future of Lingnan.
This academic year is particularly noteworthy as it marks the 30th anniversary of our Tuen Mun campus—a fitting occasion to reflect upon and celebrate the achievements that have shaped our institution. I would now like to highlight several recent developments that demonstrate our collective advancement.
Academic Excellence Recognised, Locally and Globally
Lingnan University has achieved the distinction of being ranked No. 1 globally for Quality Education (United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4) in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025, marking it as the first university in Hong Kong to lead any of the United Nations’ SDGs in this ranking. This international recognition highlights the university's commitment to teaching excellence, comprehensive student support, and contributions to society through inclusive and sustainable education.
Additionally, Lingnan University attained the top position in Hong Kong for SDG 1: No Poverty, acknowledging its initiatives in reducing financial barriers, addressing youth poverty, and promoting job security, thereby ensuring that education serves as a means of empowerment for individuals and communities.
In the triennial review of the University Accountability Agreement by the University Grants Committee (UGC), Lingnan University ranked first among public universities in Hong Kong in two key performance indicators: undergraduate satisfaction with teaching and learning, and student involvement in startups and entrepreneurship. Additionally, the UGC Quality Assurance Council Audit Report (June 2025) commended our robust governance, quality assurance systems, and proactive approach to digital innovation.
These achievements strengthen our reputation and are reflected in the growing number of high-calibre students choosing Lingnan. This year, we welcome over 1,400 undergraduates from Hong Kong and around the world. Applications through JUPAS rose by over 36%, and the number of Band A applications increased by 38%. These are the highest growth rates among Hong Kong universities. Our Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Health and Social Services Management was the most competitive programme, drawing 51 applicants per place.
Meanwhile, the Gaokao cutoff score for Mainland Chinese students rose by 5 points over last year and 20 points over 2023, now standing at 50 points above all provincial special admission cutlines. This reflects the increasing competitiveness of Lingnan’s programmes and our growing appeal among top students from the Chinese Mainland.
Growing Our Research Strength and Impact
As our student community grows, so too does our academic and research momentum. In the 2025-26 Research Grants Committee (RGC) funding round, Lingnan recorded the largest year-on-year increase among Hong Kong universities, with a 26% rise in funded projects and a 22% increase in total research funding. These results underscore our expanding research capabilities and our strong commitment to academic excellence.
The faculty continues to demonstrate a strong capacity for securing external competitive funding. This year, three early-career faculty members received the 青年科學基金項目 (C類) from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC). The Science Unit has also been successful in obtaining significant research grants; during this year's Projects of Lantau Conservation Fund competition, four out of five submitted proposals were funded, resulting in a total award amount of $6,607,268.
At the same time, our efforts to raise Lingnan’s academic profile are attracting outstanding talent from around the world. Since launching the Lingnan-60 Global Talent Recruitment Scheme in January 2024, we have welcomed 28 exceptional scholars. Today, 17% of our professors are recognised among the World’s Top 2% scholars by Stanford University.
Furthermore, over the past year, four Lingnan scholars were elected to the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering: Prof. Xin Yao, Prof. Sam Kwong, and me as Fellows, and Prof. Paulina Wong as a Young Member. Prof. Kwong was also named as a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, the only Hong Kong scholar to receive this honour in 2025. In public management, Prof. Richard Walker received the 2025 H. George Frederickson Award for Career Contributions to Public Management Research – the first scholar outside the United States to receive this prestigious honour.
These accomplishments reflect the strength of our academic community and lay a solid foundation for the impactful research that follows.
Innovation with a Purpose
We are proud to be the first university in Asia to establish a United Nations University Hub on Humanitarian Innovation and Technology (HIT Hub). This partnership applies cutting-edge technologies to improve living conditions in developing countries and the Global South. The new HIT Lab will lead research, training, and global initiatives to advance this mission.
In April, we won five awards at the International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva, including the Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury for our low-cost, energy-efficient BLOOM Baby Incubator, designed for rural communities.
Our students and researchers participated in the 11th Silicon Valley International Inventions Festival for the first time this August, winning 8 gold medals, 5 silver medals, and a special prize from the International Federation of Inventors' Associations. With 14 awards in total, we earned the most medals and gold medals among all Hong Kong institutions.
We also launched several pioneering initiatives:
Hong Kong’s first live GeoAI platform for mosquito-borne disease control — now actively used in Kennedy Town.
An AI model for predicting cooling loads, awarded Gold at the 2025 Global AI Challenge for Building E&M Facilities 2025.
CineSim — the first free cinematography simulation education software for higher education, offering hands-on learning for aspiring filmmakers.
These achievements demonstrate our commitment to leveraging innovation to address real-world challenges.
Global Learning, Global Connections
Our impact goes beyond research. It is also about preparing students for a global future. This year, the Lingnan Postgraduate Summer School, co-organised with the University of Oxford, welcomed over 100 participants from local and international universities. For the first time, a nomination system opened the UK-based research programme to all postgraduates, including 24 top Lingnan scholarship recipients. The programme promotes global research, cross-border collaboration, and the exchange of ideas.
In July, the second Lingnan–Yuanpei STEM Summer Academy (LYSSA) was co-hosted with Peking University with sponsorship from the Lingnan Foundation, involving over 30 students from both universities. Participants engaged in seminars, workshops, and a final roadshow competition focused on topics including STEM, green technology, and entrepreneurship. The projects presented addressed practical challenges, and judges provided feedback on their potential applications and encouraged further development for broader relevance.
Shaping the Campus of the Future
With our global influence expanding and student enrollment reaching a new high of 8,250 this semester, we are committed to investing in additional facilities and infrastructure to advance our academic objectives, research strengths, and international goals.
Our M+ satellite campus, now spanning 28,000 square feet across three floors, provides a dynamic learning environment in West Kowloon. The Lingnan Hub is fully operational, and in February, we launched Lingnan HPC NexT, a high-performance computing centre designed to support advanced research and accelerate AI innovation. Phase two of this initiative is already underway.
In addition, construction has begun on the Lingnan Education Organization Building, located next to Wing On Plaza. This new science building will house the Schools of Data Science and Interdisciplinary Studies upon its completion in 2028. We are also acquiring T-Plus, a new off-campus complex within walking distance, along with further developments that will provide additional amenities and resources to support our growing community.
Looking Ahead Together
As the new academic year begins, it is important to acknowledge the values that define Lingnan: dedication, perseverance, openness to diverse perspectives and cultures, and a commitment to serving others.
These core values will continue to shape the university’s mission in teaching, research, and the preparation of students for a rapidly changing world. The Lingnan community will address forthcoming challenges and opportunities collaboratively, upholding mutual support among all members. Despite the recent government funding reduction over the next three years, we are committed to reaching new heights. We look forward to celebrating our accomplishments at the annual Gala Dinner in December and cordially invite you to join us in demonstrating your support.
Thank you for your involvement in the pursuit of excellence. The coming year will provide further opportunities for collaborative progress.
Sincerely,
Joe Qin
President and Wai Kee Kau Chair Professor of Data Science