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HKBU achieves top 50 spot in THE Asia University Rankings
30 Apr 2025
In the newly released 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) Asia University Rankings, HKBU has made impressive strides, rising from 63rd last year to 50th. The achievement marks the University’s best performance in this ranking since 2018.
This year, more than 850 institutions from 35 Asian countries or regions are ranked according to their performance in research, teaching, knowledge transfer and international outlook. HKBU has performed well in the ranking indicators, with notable improvements in the “Research Environment” and “Research Quality” indicators. These remarkable results recognise HKBU’s research achievements in an international context.
Professor Martin Wong discusses university research at THE Summit
The latest rankings were released at the THE Asia Universities Summit 2025, which took place in Macau from 22 to 24 April. The event gathered academic leaders to discuss the evolving landscape of higher education and the critical role of research communications.
Professor Martin Wong, Provost of HKBU, participated in the panel discussion “Amplifying Academics: Strategic Communication for University Research” at the Summit. He addressed the profound impact of research on university branding, and highlighted how HKBU leverages its transdisciplinary excellence in fields such as Chinese Medicine and Creative Arts, integrating with Data Science and artificial intelligence (AI), to position itself as a leader in innovation.
Professor Wong also introduced HKBU’s initiatives, including research events like Research Mixer and Research Mingle, to foster a vibrant research communication culture among scholars. He emphasised the importance of transdisciplinary engagement, and mentioned recent successes in the integration of AI in various academic topics and outreach events, such as the use of AI technology in the artistic performance at the Hong Kong Baptist University Symphony Orchestra Annual Gala Concert this year.
The expansion in industry engagement among Hong Kong universities is a significant focus of the panel discussion. Professor Wong said that collaboration with industries has seen remarkable growth in recent years, driven largely by the increasing number of industries developing in the Mainland. This has resulted in fruitful partnerships that create unique, mutually beneficial research opportunities, advancing both knowledge and the translation of research into practical applications.
An ongoing commitment to teaching and research excellence
Over the past two years, HKBU has advanced from 105th in the THE Asia Rankings to 50th. The rise in HKBU’s ranking demonstrates that the University has consistently strengthened its transdisciplinary research, as well as teaching and learning capabilities in recent years. Its achievements in integrating creative culture, technological applications and diverse learning experiences have also earned international recognition.
In addition, the University has successfully cultivated a vibrant student community that embodies creativity, broad perspectives and multi-faceted talents, while providing a conducive environment for scholars and students to pursue exploration and research.
HKBU has identified key research areas that cover creative media and practice, health and drug discovery, humanities and cultures, as well as data analytics and AI. Going forward, the University is committed to driving transdisciplinary and innovative research, with the goals of translating these research outputs into tangible benefits for society and contributing to societal development.