CityUHK tops global list for international outlook according to ranking

In the 2025 ranking of the world's most international universities, released earlier this year by Times Higher Education, also known as THE, City University of Hong Kong, or CityUHK, secured the No 1 position for the second year running. This accolade highlights the institution's enduring dedication to fostering global connections and cross-cultural exchange in an increasingly interconnected world.

THE's methodology hinges on four core indicators: the share of international students, the proportion of international faculty, the depth of global research collaborations (gauged by co-authored publications), and overall international reputation. CityUHK shines in each category, with a diverse student body and faculty, far-reaching partnerships with scholars abroad, and a formidable standing on the world stage.

Nestled in the bustling heart of Kowloon, CityUHK is an innovative hub for world-class research and education. It boasts 11 colleges and schools: Biomedicine, Business, Computing, Engineering, Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, Science, Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, Creative Media, Energy and Environment, Law, and Graduate Studies, together with 28 academic units. Its faculty and staff hail from more than 40 countries and regions, while students represent nearly 100 nationalities. The university's network extends to partnerships with more than 400 institutions worldwide, embodying a genuinely cosmopolitan ethos.

Worldwide integration

Freddy Boey, president of CityUHK and distinguished university professor, attributes this sustained success to the institution's human core: a vibrant community bound by a common vision, whose collective endeavors yield extraordinary outcomes.

At its essence, CityUHK is crafting a borderless academic environment. Its ambitions extend beyond mere recruitment of diverse talent; they encompass sparking interdisciplinary conversations and mutual understanding across civilizations, especially in the age of artificial intelligence. Through forward-thinking recruitment strategies and innovative structures, the university attracts top scholars from around the globe and cultivates an enriching experience for its international students.

Hong Kong's distinctive role as a global metropolis and innovation nexus — long a conduit between East and West — bolsters these efforts, amplified by support from both Chinese and international governments and organizations.

Beyond drawing talent to Hong Kong, CityUHK propels its students overseas with scholarships like the Global Experience for All Funding Scheme and the Start-up Technology Entrepreneur Programme. In research, it champions joint ventures, co-authored studies and international symposia. On campus, multicultural festivals and student ambassador programs weave a tapestry of cross-cultural harmony, nurturing an inclusive space for education and daily life.

Forging educational ties

In May 2025, CityUHK inaugurated the CityUHK Institute of Research and Innovation, or CIRI, on the campus of Satbayev University, Almaty, Kazakhstan, marking a bold step to establish a CityUHK hub in the region. As Central Asia's economic powerhouse, Kazakhstan boasts rich resources, a dynamic young population, swift growth, and a prime position in the Belt and Road Initiative.

The establishment of the CIRI stems from a robust alliance with Satbayev University, backed by key supporters including China's Ministry of Education, the Education Bureau at the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Office of the Commissioner of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong, Kazakhstan's Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the Chinese Consulate General in Almaty, and the Kazakh Consulate General in Hong Kong. Collaborative efforts between CityUHK's team and Satbayev University's leadership — led by Rector Meiram Begentayev and First Vice-Rector Samgat Yermekbayev, under oversight of Sayasat Nurbek, Kazakhstan's minister of science and higher education — have brought the project to life.

CIRI pioneers a model of profound transnational academic partnership. As CityUHK's inaugural outpost in Central Asia, it adopts a "bidirectional empowerment" approach, tailoring innovations to local needs while channeling Hong Kong's cutting-edge technology and educational expertise into Kazakhstan. For instance, its 2+2 joint bachelor's programs offer up to 100 Kazakh students the opportunity to study in Hong Kong and earn CityUHK degrees.

This framework departs from conventional one-sided aid, emphasizing shared governance in line with the 2024 China-Kazakhstan joint communique. It exemplifies educational synergy between the two nations and positions Hong Kong as a vital link in BRI-related partnerships, facilitating knowledge flows between East Asia and Central Asia.

"I am deeply optimistic about the prospects for higher education, research innovation and talent development with Belt and Road nations," Professor Boey said. "These collaborations are not just strategic — they are equitable and mutually enriching."

Charting a future

CityUHK has outlined a visionary plan for the coming decade, anchored in a "global innovation network" that spans continents and weaves together academic ecosystems. Beyond bolstering current alliances, the university intends to intensify ties along the Belt and Road corridors and venture into new territories, including the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Latin America. It also seeks to fortify long-standing connections in Europe, capitalizing on recent advancements.

As a multifaceted institution, CityUHK is broadening its horizons beyond core STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields, embracing AI-infused sciences through new ventures like the HK Institute of AI for Science, the Institute of Digital Medicine, and the Institute for Materials Innovation. By blending arts and culture into its STEM foundation, it champions STEAM education and cultivates leaders attuned to diverse global perspectives. This progressive vision underscores CityUHK's resolve to drive innovation and foster international educational bonds in an evolving world.