Welcoming 2026: Celebrating a Year of Historic Momentum

Dear Students, Colleagues, Alumni, and Friends of Lingnan,

As we welcome the arrival of 2026, I wish to extend my warmest greetings to every member of our global Lingnan family. The New Year is a time for reflection, and looking back at 2025, I am struck by a singular theme: Lingnan is a university of "Number Ones".

While some may still maintain traditional liberal arts perceptions of our institution, our data tells a revitalised story. In 2025, Lingnan achieved milestones that only world-class universities could reach, solidifying our position as a leading liberal arts research university for the digital era.

A Year of Historic "Number Ones"

In 2025, we celebrated several unprecedented achievements that distinguish Lingnan as a leader in Hong Kong and the world:

●       World No. 1 for Quality Education: In the THE Impact Rankings 2025, Lingnan was ranked No. 1 in the world for SDG 4 (Quality Education). We are the first university in Hong Kong ever to top any United Nations SDG category globally.

●       Hong Kong No. 1 for No Poverty: In the THE Impact Rankings 2025, Lingnan was ranked No. 1 in Hong Kong for SDG 1 (No Poverty), highlighting our commitment to delivering quality education, fostering innovation, alleviating youth poverty, and serving the community.

●       Hong Kong No. 1 for Social Impact: We ranked No. 1 in Hong Kong for SDG 1 (No Poverty), reflecting our successful efforts in removing financial barriers and enhancing job security for our community.

●       No. 1 Growth in Admissions: We recorded a 36.34% increase in total JUPAS applications and a 38.37% increase in Band A applications—the highest growth rate among all Hong Kong universities.

●       No. 1 in Research Momentum: Lingnan saw the largest increase in the 2025-26 RGC funding round, with a 26% boost in funded projects and a 22% increase in total funding, outpacing all other local institutions.

●       No. 1 in Invention Excellence: In our debut at the Silicon Valley International Inventions Festival, we earned the highest number of medals and the highest number of gold medals among all participating Hong Kong universities.

●       No. 1 in Student Satisfaction: According to the latest UGC University Accountability Agreement review, Lingnan secured the top spot among public universities for undergraduate satisfaction with teaching and learning, as well as student involvement in startups and entrepreneurship.

Unique Global Recognition

Beyond the rankings, 2025 was a year of "Only Ones":

●       UNU Hub Leadership: We became the first higher education institution in Asia to establish a United Nations University (UNU) Hub on Humanitarian Innovation and Technology.

●       Design Grand Slams: Our Lingnan Entrepreneurship Initiative (LEI) developed a mini air purifier for subdivided homes that secured 14 international grand slams—a first for any Hong Kong university.

World-Class Talent

Our success is driven by the brightest minds. In 2025, more than 20% of our faculty were recognised among the World’s Top 2% Scholars by Stanford University. This includes:

●       The top-ranked professor in Hong Kong and in China for Political Science and Public Management.

●       The top-ranked professor in Hong Kong and in China for Industrial Engineering and Automation.

●       The only professors in Hong Kong to receive the IEEE Frank Rosenblatt Award and the H. George Frederickson Award.

Global and Regional Rankings

We have leaped forwards in our Global and Regional University and Subject Rankings.

●       THE World University Rankings Debut: The university debuted in the prestigious THE World University Rankings 2026, placing in the 301–350 band globally out of 2,191 universities.

●       Top 50 in International Outlook: In the same THE World University Rankings, Lingnan secured an impressive 47th place globally for International Outlook, highlighting its diverse and collaborative research environment.

●       QS Subject Rankings Expansion: The number of Lingnan subjects ranked in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025 doubled from five to ten, including new entries in Communication and Media Studies, Sociology, and Business and Management Studies. 

Looking Forward

With over 8,250 students and the expansion of our M+ satellite campus, the T-plus acquisition, and the Wu Jieh Yee Lingnan Hub, we enter 2026 with a clear mission. We are no longer defined by our size, but by our impact, our innovation, and our unique ability to blend the liberal arts with cutting-edge science.

As we journey toward our 60th anniversary of reestablishment in Hong Kong in 2027 and 140th anniversary of Lingnan in 2028, let us continue to "Empower Your Future" and live out our motto: "Education for Service".

Wishing you all a prosperous, healthy, and innovative 2026.

Prof. S. Joe Qin

President and Wai Kee Kau Chair Professor of Data Science

Lingnan University