The University of Hong Kong (HKU) celebrated a significant milestone in its innovation journey on 9 May 2026, with the “HKU School of Innovation Inaugural Celebration: A Dialogue with Future Innovators” held at Rayson Huang Theatre. The occasion commemorated the institution of the HKU School of Innovation (I-School) and highlighted the transformative impression of its inaugural 12 months, following the arrival of the primary cohort of the Bachelor of Science in Innovation and Technology [BSc(I&T)] in September 2025.
Since welcoming its first cohort of scholars, the I-School has translated its instructional imaginative and prescient into motion via a sturdy curriculum centred on experiential, interdisciplinary, and project-based studying. Over the previous tutorial 12 months, college students have engaged with the native innovation and know-how ecosystem via visits to Hong Kong Science Park, the HKU Techno-Entrepreneurship Academy in Shenzhen, and Tencent; collaborated with organisations together with the Hong Kong Science Museum, Hong Kong Shipowners Association, and Food Angel; and contributed to the HKU neighborhood via occasions just like the InnoJoy Carnival. These actions underscore the School’s emphasis on bridging the hole between classroom concept and real-world software.
At the inaugural celebration, Professor Xiang Zhang, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKU, delivered the opening handle, highlighting the strategic position of the I-School in advancing interdisciplinary studying and fostering deep collaboration between universities and business. He remarked that on this ever-changing world, universities want to equip the following generations with inter-disciplinary horizons. Our I-School integrates analysis, schooling, and entrepreneurship to empower college students to flip concepts into impression. We envision that our college students will embody the spirit of innovation and creativity gained from their programme, and apply them of their future endeavours for the betterment of the society.
The celebration featured remarks from key stakeholders throughout Hong Kong’s innovation ecosystem. Ms Lillian Cheong, Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR, affirmed the Government’s help for innovation and expertise improvement in a congratulatory video greeting. She mentioned, “The opening of the HKU School of Innovation marks a significant milestone for Hong Kong’s innovation and technology development. By bringing together research excellence, industry collaboration, and entrepreneurial talent, the School will play a vital role in transforming bold ideas into real-world impact and nurturing the next generation of innovation leaders.”
Mr Terry Wong, Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), emphasised the significance of college–business collaboration in advancing Hong Kong’s I&T panorama.
“HKU’s School of Innovation represents an important step forward for Hong Kong’s innovation and technology ecosystem, advancing world-class research into outcomes that benefit society and industry,” mentioned Mr Wong. “As Hong Kong’s largest I&T ecosystem, HKSTP partners with institutions like HKU to connect talent, technology and industry, helping innovative ideas move from the lab to the market. The I-School will nurture tomorrow’s innovators and contribute to Hong Kong’s future.”
Professor James Tang, Secretary-General of the University Grants Committee (UGC), highlighted the important position of upper schooling excellence in supporting innovation expertise improvement throughout Hong Kong’s college sector. He mentioned, “The establishment of the I-School corresponds closely with both the UGC’s strategic priorities and the Government’s broader objectives of developing Hong Kong into an international education hub and innovation powerhouse, and demonstrates a clear commitment to nurturing a new generation with interdisciplinary expertise, an entrepreneurial mindset, and strong real-world engagement.”
Professor Hayden So, Director of the School of Innovation, outlined the School’s imaginative and prescient and mission to equip college students with the talents, mindset and real-world publicity wanted to sort out complicated innovation challenges. “The key is to plant the seed of innovation early in their studies,” he defined, summarising the rationale behind the programme’s design. “Once they are motivated, they will pursue their passions across diverse fields throughout their innovation journey. That’s what future innovators will look like—self-motivated, agile, and compassionate.”
The occasion featured two themed panel discussions. The first session, “Nurturing Innovation & Technology Talents for the Future,” introduced collectively two I-School scholar moderators with Professor Jay Siegel, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning) of HKU, Mr Chuck Ng, Co-Founder of the Foundation for Science & AI Research, Ms Carol Yu, Founding Partner & Senior Vice President of Shenzhen InnoX Academy, and Mr Raymond Chu, Associate Director of University Collaborations and Entrepreneurship of HKSTP and Head of Secretariat Office of the Global University Innovation Network (GUIN). The panel explored how universities, business and the broader ecosystem can work collectively to entice, practice and retain prime innovation expertise.
The second session, “Conversation with Future Innovators,” was co-moderated by Professor Jason Woodard, Co-Director of the I-School, and Mr Jason Chiu, HKU Council Member and Founder of Cherrypicks. During the session, six I-School college students shared their journeys in entrepreneurship and cross-disciplinary collaboration, illustrating how the I-School’s distinctive curriculum empowers a brand new era of innovators to sort out challenges throughout Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, and the worldwide stage.
A spotlight of the celebration was the coed venture showcase. Featured work demonstrated the breadth of the I-School’s problem-based strategy, together with computational fashions of Hong Kong rental costs, paper airplane design, customer stream at a theme park, the unfold of cybersecurity assaults, and the unfold of on-line “brainrot” tradition; a startup concept targeted on the prevention of computer-related well being points; and a robotic butler that may discover a goal, keep away from obstacles, and reply to voice instructions.
Looking forward, the I-School plans to broaden its tutorial and experiential choices, together with the launch of a grasp’s programme within the coming 12 months. The inaugural celebration marks an important step in HKU’s long-term mission to reimagine innovation schooling for the good thing about Hong Kong and past.
About the School of Innovation
The HKU School of Innovation was established in November 2024 to rework how universities domesticate innovation and know-how expertise. Through project-led, problem-based studying that integrates design considering, entrepreneurship, and business collaboration, the I-School prepares college students to sort out complicated real-world challenges. The School gives undergraduate and postgraduate programmes designed to develop each technical capabilities and the revolutionary mindset wanted to flip concepts into impactful options for Hong Kong and past.