University Review
Teaching and learning
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Incorporating AI into teaching practice
Innovative virtual teaching and learning
To empower students to thrive in the era of AI, HKBU incorporates the use of advanced digital technologies into its curriculum. Tools such as generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) and virtual reality (VR) are utilised across teaching and learning to enable students to gain technical fluency and knowledge to apply these technologies meaningfully.
With the aim of fostering a learning environment underpinned by innovative pedagogies, Virtual Teaching and Learning (VTL) was integrated into the design and delivery of 33 General Education courses, benefitting around 2,300 students. In addition, an AI-assisted Online Management System was launched for the Bachelor of Arts, Science and Technology (Hons) in Individualised Major programme to summarise students' learning progress and enable more personalised feedback to the students.
During the year, around 200 teacher development workshops, covering the use of GenAI in teaching, were held to strengthen teachers’ capacity in employing innovative pedagogies leveraging VTL.
Promoting AI literacy through General Education
At the forefront of the digital transformation in higher education, HKBU launched a reform of its General Education (GE) curriculum. A "Flipped Classroom" teaching model was introduced to GE courses, which enabled students to actively engage in group discussions, case studies, and problem-solving activities during the class, thereby fostering their creativity and proactivity. To cultivate future-ready leaders who can use AI responsibly in different contexts, all incoming undergraduate students will attain foundational AI literacy through the new GE course titled "AI Literacies for Social Good" starting in September 2025.
Applying creative AI technologies in transdisciplinary courses
In the transdisciplinary service-learning course "Transdisciplinary Collaboration I", students utilised creative technologies and designed immersive installations and interactive games for children, connecting technology with entertainment and education through purposeful play. In another transdisciplinary course, "Music and AI", students introduced elderly participants to digital music creation using AI tools with the aim of enhancing the elderly’s AI literacy. At the conclusion of the course, students presented their own musical works which featured motion sensors and interactive elements.
Leveraging AI tools in teaching Chinese medicine
Educators at the School of Chinese Medicine have used AI tools in the classroom, innovating teaching practice in the field. In the courses on botanical studies, Dr Guo Ping guided students in using AI tools to identify medicinal plants. Advanced technologies were also employed in the course "Public Health and Family Medicine" to train students to perform big data analysis, use smart devices for health monitoring and clinical research, and apply emerging technologies in clinical management.
Driving diverse learning experiences
Excellence in education recognised
At the 2024 University Grants Committee Teaching Award presentation ceremony, three HKBU educators garnered prestigious awards for their innovative approaches to teaching and learning. Dr Kristen Li Yuanxi (Department of Computer Science), Professor Anna Qin Lai-yin (Academy of Visual Arts), and Dr Theresa Kwong (Centre for Holistic Teaching and Learning) were recognised for their outstanding contributions in the categories of General Faculty Members, Early Careers Faculty Members and Collaborative Teams respectively. The 2024 Awards marked the first time HKBU was recognised in all three award categories.
Strengthening national education
HKBU organised a series of university-wide activities, including seminars on fact-checking, that highlighted the importance of national security in areas such as financial security and cybersecurity. The initiative fortified national security education as a priority and cultivated a sense of law-abiding responsibility and national identity among students.
Advancing medical education
HKBU has a strong foundation in biomedical sciences and Chinese medicine, and an extensive network of local and Greater Bay Area hospitals, medical professionals and international organisations. HKBU contributes to Hong Kong's healthcare system through different means, such as biomedical research and technology translation, the training of healthcare professionals, as well as the provision of clinical services. In addition, the University plays the important role of promoting Chinese medicine development and fostering Integrated Chinese-Western Medicine services.
Supporting elite athletes and sports development
HKBU enrolled nine elite athletes through the Talented Athletes Direct Admission Scheme (TADAS) and Students with Exceptional Talent Direct Admission Scheme (SETDAS) this year. The nine athletes specialised in a diverse range of sports, namely athletics, basketball, combat sport, handball, taekwondo, triathletes and windsurfing. HKBU established the Elite Athletes Admission Scheme (EAAS) in 2016 and TADAS in 2022, and launched SETDAS to acknowledge exceptional talents that may not be fully reflected in their academic performance, further enhancing support for athletes.
Athletes from Hong Kong, China achieved extraordinary success at the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, and HKBU's talented athletes played an important role in contributing to these glorious achievements. To celebrate the remarkable performances of five HKBU student and alumni athletes, HKBU organised the "Cheers to HKBU Olympians and Paralympians" sharing session in September 2024. The HKBU Olympians and Paralympians, namely students Chan Ho-yuen, Cheung Ka-long, Lo Wai-fung, Ma Kwan-ching, and alumna Ho Yuen-kei, achieved an impressive tally by clinching three gold and one silver medals in the Games. At the event, the student and alumni athletes shared their experiences of balancing sports and academic studies, providing valuable insights and inspiration to the students.
Enhancing students' career development and employability
The University organised six sector-specific networking events and several career fairs for undergraduate students, enabling them to engage meaningfully with prospective employers and industry professionals. The Employers' Reception for Research Postgraduates attracted around 100 industry leaders, employers and faculty members, with 27 innovative research projects presented by research postgraduates.
In April 2025, the School of Business and School of Communication hosted the Masters Information Day x i-ConNet Career Expo 2025, attracting over 2,000 participants to connect with around 100 employers. The School of Business also organised its inaugural Business Career Expo and developed an AI Chatbot to facilitate graduating students' job search and provide them with career guidance.
Entrepreneurship education
To foster a culture of innovation on campus and support students in pursuing entrepreneurship, the Career Centre organised 38 entrepreneurial activities this academic year, benefitting over 900 student participants. In addition to taking part in startup competitions, students developed practical entrepreneurial skills through talks by accomplished entrepreneurs, interactive workshops and networking events. Aspiring student entrepreneurs and startup teams were also introduced to more than 20 external startup events, where they showcased their ideas, received feedback from the public and connected with potential collaborators.
Celebrating creativity and culture on campus
Highlighting literary talents
The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences celebrated literary excellence with a series of events showcasing renowned writers. The Chinese Writers’ Workshop (CWW) hosted its Distinguished Chinese Writers Series 2024, featuring the acclaimed science fiction writer Mr Han Song. He shared his insights with readers at a literary public lecture and a writing masterclass in October 2024. CWW also held the 5th“Chinese Writers-in-Residence Programme” and the “Hong Kong Writers-in Residence Programme”, engaging Chinese Mainland writer Ms Wang Zhanhei, Malaysian writer Mr King Ban Hui, and local novelist Mr Albert Tam in literacy exchange events.
In its 2024 Distinguished Writers Series, the International Writers’ Workshop (IWW) featured Yann Martel, the renowned Canadian novelist. Mr Martel delved into his works at a literary reading event to inspire literary creativity among HKBU faculty and students as well as the public. In March 2025, IWW hosted its annual Literary Festival, which brought together eminent writers to discuss the intersections of culture, creativity and technology in the literary world.
Showcasing creativity of visual arts graduands
The Academy of Visual Arts under the School of Creative Arts presented its Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Visual Arts Graduation Show from May to June 2025 at the University's Kai Tak Campus. Themed "GeeLeeGooLoo", which encapsulates the sounds that arise from immersive art-making processes and lively discussions, the exhibition featured the creative works of over 130 graduating students.
Nurturing socially responsible professionals
Service-learning trips foster global citizenship
HKBU's service-learning initiatives are an integral part of its whole-person education, linking academic study with real-world community service. By participating in service-learning trips, students not only apply their knowledge to help communities in need, but also gain an authentic cultural experience beyond the classroom.
Supported by the Centre for Innovative Service-Learning (CISL), students of the course "Studio: Ceramics" explored the rich history and techniques of both modern and traditional ceramics in Jingdezhen, China. They partnered with local organisations to provide ceramic workshops to children with the aim of preserving traditional craftsmanship and cultural heritage. In May 2025, CISL organised a weeklong service-learning project in Cambodia, where HKBU students designed and delivered an innovative educational programme for over 130 local children, promoting awareness of renewable energy and improving the children’s level of English.
In the South Korea Peacebuilding Service-Learning Study Tour co-organised by the Chaplain's Office and the Centre for Sino-Christian Studies at HKBU, students learned about local peacebuilding efforts and delivered a workshop on inner and interpersonal peace for local students.
Driving social innovation for impact
TriAngle, a social innovation co-working space of CISL, in partnership with the University Innovation Fellows (UIF) programme at Stanford University, hosted the "UIF Asia Meet-Up in Hong Kong" in January 2025. The event brought together 53 innovators, educators, and students from 14 countries and cities to explore creative solutions to global challenges and envision new directions in innovation. HKBU students also made their mark internationally, with four participating in the UIF Global Summit in the Netherlands. There, they presented their workshops which introduced design thinking and innovation concepts.
Supporting student-led initiatives, TriAngle's Social Innovation Kick-Start Fund offers seed funding, mentorship, and incubation training to empower students to develop innovative solutions to social and environmental challenges. This academic year, 16 student teams benefited from the scheme. Among the funded projects, ReCube introduced a reusable tableware rental service on campus, and Sportcanheal852 provided karate and mindfulness training to over 100 elderly individuals and children, demonstrating tangible benefits of student-led social enterprises.
