University plans to expand overseas opportunities to support graduates

Professor Jin-Guang Teng, president of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), reflects on how the university is reinforcing Hong Kong’s standing as a premier destination for international students, while cultivating a truly global outlook among the next generation of leaders.

For globally recognized education

Hong Kong’s standing as a globally recognized education hub is well established, and the city is home to some of the world’s major universities. This ecosystem of academic excellence, combined with Hong Kong’s position as an international gateway between East and West, makes it a compelling choice for international or nonlocal students seeking an international-caliber educational experience.

“PolyU is proud to contribute to this landscape of excellence. We are currently ranked 54th in the QS World University Rankings, with our sights firmly set on breaking into the global top 50, and 24 of our disciplines are among the world’s top 100. With English as the medium of instruction across nearly all of our programs, international or non-local students can immerse themselves in a global academic environment, while benefiting from the cultural richness that Hong Kong uniquely offers,” Teng said.

Yet academic standing tells only part of the story. What truly distinguishes a PolyU education is its forward-looking orientation: it is committed to producing graduates who will become leaders in innovation. PolyU was among the first universities in the world to make artificial intelligence education compulsory for all undergraduates back in September 2022. Building on this foundation, it has recently launched the Education 4.0 initiative, which reimagines the learning and teaching experience through the integration of AI and smart technologies, empowering students to thrive in an AI-driven age.

To further attract high-caliber international talent and promote “Study in Hong Kong”, the university is intensifying recruitment efforts across emerging regions, including Southeast Asia and other countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative. Flagship programs such as the PolyU Summer Institute and the PolyU International Summer School also introduce high school and undergraduate students globally to Hong Kong and PolyU’s academic landscape, fostering early engagement and sustained interest in pursuing higher education in the city.

These efforts are yielding tangible results. In the 2025/26 academic year, PolyU welcomed more than 1,100 nonlocal undergraduates, including more than 420 students from overseas. “We aim to increase overseas undergraduate enrollment to 600 students in the near future — a target that reflects both our growing international appeal and our enduring commitment to building a vibrant, globally diverse student community,” Teng said.

Cultivating the global perspective of students

“In today’s interconnected world, where our nation is playing an increasingly pivotal role in shaping global affairs, equipping our students with a global perspective has never been more important. At PolyU, this commitment is embedded in our latest Strategic Plan, which sets out our mission to nurture socially responsible professionals and leaders with a strong sense of national pride and a global perspective,” Teng said.

PolyU stands out in this endeavor through several strategic initiatives, including nonlocal Service-Learning. Since 2012, PolyU has made Service-Learning a compulsory requirement for all undergraduates, empowering them to grow into responsible leaders through meaningful community service across the globe.

“I had the privilege of joining a Service-Learning expedition to Rwanda in 2024, where I witnessed our students installing solar panels in remote villages with remarkable dedication to benefit locals. The experience profoundly broadened not only their global perspective, but my own as well.

“Equally central to our strategy is the cultivation of strategic partnerships with world-leading universities to expand outbound study opportunities. To this end, I led a high-level delegation to the United Kingdom in November 2025, forging closer ties with leading institutions including the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford. These collaborations are designed to offer our students truly world-class international learning experiences.

“Looking ahead, we are advancing an ambitious goal that will further set PolyU apart: every undergraduate graduating in or after the 2027/28 academic year will have the opportunity to undertake at least one nonlocal learning experience before graduation. Through this commitment, PolyU is ensuring that a global outlook is not merely an aspiration but a defining feature of every PolyU student’s journey,” Teng said.

A message for students considering PolyU

“My message to prospective PolyU students is if you aspire not only to build a successful future for your own career, but also to make a meaningful difference in the world, PolyU is a place where that ambition can take root and flourish. Guided by our motto ‘To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind’, we are committed to nurturing graduates possessing both virtue and competence, with virtue as the foundation. If you seek to serve society with purpose and make a positive impact, PolyU is an ideal place for you to embark on this journey,” Teng said.