The University of Hong Kong, 香港大學 in Chinese, or HKU as it is abbreviated to, is the oldest institution of higher education in Hong Kong. In March 1910 the university’s foundation stone was laid by the Governor of Hong Kong, and the institution was opened to students two years later. At this time, HKU was made up of three faculties, namely: Arts, Engineering, and Medicine – the Faculty of Medicine was borne out of the Hong Kong College of Medicine.Show more
World War II put academic endeavours to a halt at HKU – at the time there were four faculties – the three the university opened with, as well as the Faculty of Science.
After WWII ended in 1945, academic efforts were restarted at HKU. Architecture studies began at the university in 1951, the Department of Extra-Mural Studies for continuing adult education was founded in 1956, the Faculty of Social Sciences in 1967, the Law Department in 1969, the Faculty of Dentistry in 1982, and the Faculty of Business and Economics in 2001.
Studying at HKU
The University of Hong Kong offers programmes of study at under- and postgraduate levele across many faculties and departments, namely: the Faculty of Architecture, Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Business and Economics, Faculty of Dentistry, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Law, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, and the Graduate School.
Students at HKU come from nearby in Hong Kong as well as mainland China and many international students.
In addition to its taught programmes, the institution also conducts research, and in 2003 its medical researchers were the first in the world to identify the coronavirus that caused SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome).
Life at HKU
There are many, many student clubs and societies at HKU covering lots of topics, such as AIESEC-LC-HKU, Buddhist Studies Society, China Study Society, Computer Society, cultural associations such as: Bridge Club, Calligraphy Society, Drama Society, and Music Club, and sports associations such as: Archery Club, Badminton Club, Dragon Boat Club, Fencing Club, and Karate Club. You can find a full list of activities like these here.
Support for students on campus includes: Crisis Counselling, Emergency Financial Assistance, and Emergency Health Service, among others.
As for accommodation, there are many options for students, like Jockey Club Student Village III, and Halls of Residence.
What About You?
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