The Honorable Mr. KK Chan, Mr. Luo Yonggang (羅主任), Dr. Christine Choi, John, Harry, Andrew, distinguished guests, colleagues, students and alumni, ladies and gentlemen,
On behalf of the University, it is my great pleasure to extend a very warm welcome to all of you who have gathered here to mark this important occasion.
For 35 years, HKUST has been a place “where miracles happen.” As we gather to celebrate this milestone, I stand before you as someone who has had the privilege to witness those miracles unfold from the very beginning.
I joined HKUST in 1993, in the University’s infancy. I watched this campus rise from the hillside, as we built academic excellence, expanded the frontiers of research, and created an ecosystem of innovation from scratch. Most rewarding, however, was seeing our now-famous can-do spirit evolve from an aspirational phrase into the heart of who we are.
HKUST’s remarkable journey began in the early 1990s — a time when the prevailing higher-education model in the region seemed firmly set. Yet, Prof Woo, our founding president, dared to imagine something different. He envisioned the city’s first research intensive university, created with a clear purpose: to not just transmit knowledge, but to create it, with impact at its core.
Moreover, his vision was not confined to Hong Kong. Long before the “Greater Bay Area” had a name, long before cross-border collaboration became possible, Prof Woo understood that Hong Kong’s future was inseparable from that of the region. He looked north, and with clarity and foresight, saw that our destiny was intertwined.
This forward-looking vision laid the groundwork for the establishment of HKUST (Guangzhou) decades later and continues to guide our commitment to connecting Hong Kong with the Chinese Mainland, advancing knowledge and innovation across borders.
The bold vision and courage of our founders, and the dedication and tenacity of the leadership that followed, built the foundation on which we stand. Today, HKUST is a world-class institution, renowned for academic and research excellence, a strong spirit of innovation, and an unwavering commitment to shaping a brighter future. Our success is not defined by rankings alone, but by the real, measurable impact of our work — the students we empower, the discoveries we make, and the contributions we bring to society.
The driving force behind this impact has been our relentless pursuit of knowledge. Whether in artificial intelligence, data science, advanced materials, sustainable energy, fintech, or life sciences, HKUST has consistently led at the frontiers of discovery. We have not simply kept pace with global trends—we have helped to define them.
Today, as we honor the vision and courage of our predecessors, we are called to embrace this same spirit of boldness. We will soon embark on our most ambitious chapter yet, the establishment of the School of Medicine. This School is more than a new academic unit — it signifies a transformative milestone in our evolution and reflects our founding DNA: to anticipate the needs of society and meet them with excellence.
Just as Prof Woo recognized the need for a regional research engine four decades ago, we now recognize a profound responsibility to reshape healthcare and medical education to address unmet healthcare needs in Hong Kong and beyond. HKUST, with its strengths in AI, robotics, biotechnology, and interdisciplinary research, is uniquely positioned to lead this transformation.
I would like to take this moment to express our sincere gratitude to the HKSAR Government for its trust, support, and approval of our new School of Medicine. We deeply value our long-standing partnership with the Government, and we look forward to working closely together to not only build this medical school, but also to develop our future anchor in the Northern Metropolis, which will contribute to the long-term growth and innovation landscape of Hong Kong.
Let us honor those who walked before us by embodying their courage and carrying their legacy into a new era of excellence. May the next 35 years of the HKUST story shine even brighter with greater breakthroughs, deeper impact, and more defining moments that prove beyond doubt that this is a place where miracles happen.
Thank you!