It's our ‘internal strength': University of Hong Kong head on top rankings
University of Hong Kong (HKU) has expressed hopes the institution will rank among the world's top 10 before his term ends in 2028 after it rose to 11th place in a global league table, saying it was vital for the varsity to contribute to the country's talent development.
In an exclusive interview with the Post, president Xiang Zhang said he was 'very happy' about HKU's latest advancement in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) rankings.
He said the achievement was a reflection of the 'internal strengths' of the institution, akin to developing internal discipline and dedication in martial arts, as he noted a good ranking was a 'by-product' of the university's efforts to build up its academic excellence over the years.
'When your internal strengths build up, your appearance, muscles and everything show up, so ranking is appearance, but your internal strength is what HKU and I myself really focus on, the academic strengths and the quality, all of these matters,' he said.
Zhang said he liked to read martial arts novels like those by the late Hong Kong wuxia novelist Louis Cha Leung-yung, also known as Jin Yong, which reminded him that internal strengths were critical to building one's reputation and standing.
Asked whether he was confident HKU could make it to the top 10 during his term, Zhang was optimistic, saying 'I hope so' three times.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
22 minutes ago
- South China Morning Post
British, Japanese rivals key to Hong Kong triathlete's National Games quest
Asian under-23 triathlon champion Robin Elg has said training alongside British and Japanese rivals will help him reach his potential at China's National Games in November. Elg has overcome numerous health issues, including a worrying heart problem that was detected in 2022, to become Hong Kong's brightest young prospect. And ahead of a season-defining three months, he has set up an 'insanely good' base at altitude in Font-Romeu, alongside rivals from Great Britain including 2024 Olympic medallist Sam Dickinson, and Japan's Kenji Nener. Fellow Hongkonger Oscar Coggins joined them. 'Our last run session was the best I've had for years, because we don't have that level of competition in Hong Kong,' Elg said. 'Training at home can create tensions, because we're competing with each other. 'Being in an environment with phenomenal athletes pushes you to your best level. It's my first time training with people who are better than me and I'm going to learn a lot from these guys.' Elg in action during a 2024 Asia Triathlon Cup race in Kazakhstan. Photo: TAHKC Elg is preparing for the Asia Triathlon Championships in Istanbul this month. The 23-year-old will then target October's World Under-23 Championships.
South China Morning Post
10 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong aiming to produce world snooker champion with help of Judd Trump, Neil Robertson
Superstar duo Judd Trump and Neil Robertson have set themselves the ambitious target of producing Hong Kong's first world snooker champion. Zhao Xintong finally broke mainland China's World Championship duck this year, but Marco Fu Ka-chun's 2006 and 2016 semi-final runs have been the best of it for Hong Kong. Fu's compatriot Ng On-yee won the most recent of her three women's world titles in 2019. The former world champion pair of Trump and Robertson, who both have Hong Kong residency, co-founded the Hong Kong Billiard Sports Academy, which was officially opened on Wednesday. 'There's been a gap between Marco and On-yee, and the next talent to come through,' Trump said. 'Maybe that's because there aren't enough snooker facilities in Hong Kong that are right for children. Neil Robertson and Judd Trump (left and right in the middle) with young players at the academy. Photo: Jonathan Wong 'A lot of clubs are dingy and smoky, so it's nice to open a professional facility to practise.
South China Morning Post
11 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong aiming to produce world snooker champion with help of Judd Trump, Neil Robertson
Superstar duo Judd Trump and Neil Robertson have set themselves the ambitious target of producing Hong Kong's first world snooker champion. Advertisement Zhao Xintong finally broke mainland China's World Championship duck this year, but Marco Fu Ka-chun's 2006 and 2016 semi-final runs have been the best of it for Hong Kong. Fu's compatriot Ng On-yee won the most recent of her three women's world titles in 2019. The former world champion pair of Trump and Robertson, who both have Hong Kong residency, co-founded the Hong Kong Billiard Sports Academy, which was officially opened on Wednesday. 'There's been a gap between Marco and On-yee, and the next talent to come through,' Trump said. 'Maybe that's because there aren't enough snooker facilities in Hong Kong that are right for children. Neil Robertson and Judd Trump (left and right in the middle) with young players at the academy. Photo: Jonathan Wong 'A lot of clubs are dingy and smoky, so it's nice to open a professional facility to practise.
