The Chinese University of Hong Kong excels in research, diverse academic offerings, a beautiful campus, global collaborations, cultural integration, and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.
Table of Contents
Diverse Academic Offerings
The Chinese University of Hong Kong should be recognized for what it is especially good at – the fact that it boasts an exceptionally broad spectrum of academic programs. CUHK operates nine faculties, such as Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Business Administration, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Social Science, and Faculty of Chinese Medicine, each of which is subdivided into numerous departments and even more specialties.
As such, the range of specialization encompasses such rather specialized knowledge fields as the so-called environmental science that deals with finding the ways of how for-profit organizations can help to sustain the environment on the global scale, and the specifics of working as a robotics researcher/practitioner, where attending the courses would teach students how to come up with the latest cutting-edge software solutions for controlling robots. This degree of diversity is truly admirable.
Perhaps, the most noteworthy faculty in the university is the Faculty of Business Administration. The reason for this is that its MBA program is among the top-ranked in the world, which is hardly surprising in light of the fact that its courses blend the western and eastern business philosophies. For that reason, while studying business at CUHK, the students are provided with how to take full advantage of the international business knowledge so that they are able to compete successfully in multiple global markets. The very fact that the courses are taught by the practicing entrepreneurs, whose companies often participate in the MBA student business-case projects with multi-nationals, is the indicator of that.
Also, it is important to mention that CUHK’s more practice-oriented approach to imparting business knowledge is that the majority of the examinations are administrated in the form of open-book tests, which the students accomplish at home. This is quite fitting, given the fact that there are hardly many business contexts, in which the lack of preparation to perform effectively could be considered acceptable. Therefore, it is very little wonder that the template of CUHK’s business instruction is employed in the majority of prestigious business schools around the world.
I happen to know for a fact that the Faculty of Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, in general, can also be well on the way to become one of the best in its kind in the world. The reason for this is that, as of today, this Faculty is one of the world’s leaders when it comes to conducting the researched into fighting a variety of global diseases, and COVID-19 is not an exception. Already, great strides have been made in this respect i.e.
the testing labs have been set up right at the university, in addition to some promising developments of unique diagnostic tools and curative procedures. Judging from that, giving a fact that combating deadly infections is the top current global priority, the Chinese University of Hong Kong’s status of an international-class research institution will keep on getting stronger and stronger.
The business, humanities and science faculties are not the only important and certainly best thing about CUHK. Every department, from the Faculty of Medicine to Faculty of Arts, is characterized by conducting important international research. As a result, its significance often goes past addressing acute academic problems. For example, students who graduate from the humanities and social science program operate in a variety of occupational sectors around the world.
As these people go through the courses that teach them about Chinese language, literature, history etc., they also study such global problems of the postmodern reality as ethics, good governance, etc. This knowledge of theirs does not simply provide students with ‘How to become good managers’ guidelines. It allows them to see the bigger picture and exercise a thought-out practical approach when involved in addressing various issues concerning whatever sector of activity they find themselves part of.
Research Excellence
The Chinese University of Hong Kong is a university of extraordinary research significance. It is known worldwide due to its revolutionary breakthroughs across many scientific fields, such as medicine, engineering, or environmental science. The university is known to make vast investments in the latter, as stated in the 2021-2022 report. It is evident that the university spent more than HK$1 billion on research and development activities, extending its $1.6 billion overall investment into technology and science. One of the prominent examples of the positive social effect gained is the advances in medical research, which helped improve the diagnosis and treatment accuracy of cancer, turning it into a curable disease instead of a terminal one. In this essay, I will provide several more examples of how the university’s investments into science and technology changed the world.
Another prominent example is the university’s research facilities’ involvement in the development of photovoltaic technologies, which might help people gradually switch to renewable energy. The latest research helped develop a new model of solar panel that has 5% higher efficiency than usual. Its advanced qualities are facilitated by its innovative design and material, which now helps attract a larger part of sunlight and transform it into renewable energy.
One more instance is the advances made by the university’s roboticists and engineers, who worked jointly to produce autonomous robots that help elderly individuals accomplish their everyday tasks and receive nursing care. I chose this example as it is beyond the bounds of possibility for many other universities to assure proper control of these robots for both actions within one’s household and nursing the elderly. The robots are supposed to fit the needs of all elderly people and only require a technical worker’s check if they break. They will assist the users in cleaning, cooking, doing the laundry, shopping, and taking medications or conducting simple analyzis of one’s health status as often as needed. The robots are currently put on trial in several nursing homes and afford the elderly better comfort, and life quality.
To conclude, the examples above demonstrate that the Chinese University of Hong Kong chose the most socially beneficial ways of using their investments in science and technology. The results of research and development activities found application in medical, engineering, and environmental sciences, changing the usual ways of conducting such affairs. The extraordinary improvements include the opportunities to cure cancer, produce energy from photovoltaic, and develop robots who can constantly control elderly individuals.
Beautiful Campus
The Chinese University of Hong Kong is considered one of the most beautiful in the world due to its peculiar landscape. The campus is 137.3 hectares wide, which makes it one of the largest in Hong Kong. The interactive designs of the modern architecture and stops of local green land along with a panoramic view of the Tolo Harbour make it not only a beautiful place but also a lurid one. In addition, it has everything needed for productive work and rest.
The main feature of the CUHK is its sustainability. The rainwater harvesting system along with solar-powered lighting systems make the campus almost self-supporting. The environmental consumption of energy is about 10% lower compared to a non-eco-friendly campus. I think it is a valuable experience because it is not always easy to understand the role of environmental knowledge in everyday life, and such a practical example in the university’s backyard simplifies its explanation. Moreover, the campus combines interactive buildings that serve not only for education and administration use but also make the campus more attractive. The style of the buildings harmonizes with the surrounding landscape, and large glass facades of the buildings allow outside lighting, which reduces the consumption of electricity during the day.
It is also important to note that the campus is focused on sports and recreation. CUHK has an Olympic-size swimming pool, running and field stadium, volleyball, basketball, tennis, and badminton courts. As for the sports activities and events, it also facilitates the location of many inter-university sports competitions. Other facilities for activities include cycling, motorcycling, and hiking on the designated lanes and trails. I think that this excellent approach to the problem facilitates the adoption of an active lifestyle. The fact that the campus is stretching across the hills encourages walking. It is not only aesthetically pleasing to walk or ride a bike on the trails but also has a tremendous social effect.
International Collaborations
Having the leading positions in international collaboration, the Chinese University of Hong Kong strives to make its educational and research environment more diversified and contributing. By maintaining partnerships with over 280 universities and 30 countries and research institutions, CUHK effectively enables the exchange of ideas, resources and cultures, which have a significant impact on education and research activities. One of the key partnership examples can be observed between CUHK and the University of Oxford.
While participating together in a range of research projects, they have dedicated their research to healthcare, in particular to the genetic diseases which are typical for Asian nations. As a result, the research has led to the identification of a great variety of new genetic abnormalities, which turned out to be frequent for the Asian population. For this reason, it can be evidenced that CUHK engagement in this partnership has been beneficial worldwide, as new effective screening test and a proper treatment have been developed.
Moreover, the Chinese University of Hong Kong is engaged in such kind of collaboration within some international consortiums being the member of Universitas 21, which is the biggest international network of research-intensive universities. As a part of this network, CUHK students, as well as faculties, participate in global forums, and cooperative projects, through which they manage to work on the current global issues, such as the public health sector or sustainable urban development. Also, it should be mentioned that CUHK, as one of the leading Hong Kong universities, every year sends a huge amount of students studying abroad and obtaining their new humane experience. In comparison, CUHK accepts a great number of international students, what creates a perfect multicultural environment.
Cultural Integration
The Chinese University of Hong Kong is a unique place where traditional Chinese heritage co-exists with modern world-oriented educational practices. Such a blend of old and new on the one hand, enriches the experience of every student and on the other hand, prepares them to work, travel and study all over the world. The University actively supports and promotes the ideas of multiculturalism at different events, projects, and programs, which are held on campus.
One of the main programs, which teach the students to embrace a different culture, is the work of the Chinese Language and Culture Center. Here, the students, both local and international, are encouraged to take different courses in Chinese history, philosophy, and arts, and not only listen but also explore the new foreign culture themselves. They go on excursions to the ancient sites of Chinese history, celebrate Chinese New Year together with local people, and also attend master-classes on Chinese calligraphy and painting. This approach teaches the students to comprehend the culture in a more profound way and therefore, to understand better a contemporary nation and country.
Moreover, the University promotes multiculturalism through its numerous student exchange programs. There is a great variety of universities around the world which have similar programs with the Chinese University of Hong Kong. An opportunity to spend a year in a different country by studying in a local higher educational institution gives every student an advantage of learning about a new, diverse educational system and also about new diverse culture.
Every year, the Chinese University of Hong Kong hosts a number of international conferences and cultural festivals. Scholars, students, and performers come from all over the world in order to share their visions of the World Culture and also, to listen to others. These events provoke new ideas and inspire discussions on cultural affairs, involving a smaller number of students and even schoolchildren, who may feel more free and protected to share their ideas on such serious issues.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship
The Chinese University of Hong Kong is an innovative educational institution that facilitates the generation of new ideas and the development of entrepreneurship. The CUHK Center for Entrepreneurship is a special center that encourages entrepreneurship. It is the main CUHK entrepreneurship activity. The institution provides all-faceted support to people, schools, and partners, creating more chances for CUHK to become a leading center for innovative technology, global incubation, and social entrepreneurship.
CUHK has also launched several incubations and accelerators for students and alumni. Through the lessons and experiences prepared by the seasoned academics and investors, these students can develop their startups. This is the first training point for the startups, because it is also a direct channel between venture investment and schools. As mentioned in the text, a start-up has successfully developed a health technology application during the first year of the business with a total investment of more than 5 million Hong Kong dollars.
The annual innovative entrepreneurship competitions organized by the CUHK Center for Entrepreneurship are also one of the components that inspire students. These competitions will help students innovate various ideas and are almost open to participants around the world. This is also a good opportunity for members. These competitions gather investors and industry leaders. For example, the CUHK Center for Entrepreneurship hosted more than 100 groups of people last year.
The winning group of people will receive generous seed funding for business. For example, a start-up group member has successfully invented a way to reduce energy consumption by at least 20%, which is the most expensive operating cost, compared to traditional public lighting. Another important measure to promote innovation is the integration of study programs. Optional emerging technology courses and various workshops will keep students at the forefront of innovation and technological changes, making them managers of tomorrow.