Discover HKBU

HKBU forges partnership with Sports Federation & Olympic Committee to advance sports development

30 Apr 2026

{{currentSlide}} / 5
Professor Alex Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU (left), and Dr Timothy Fok, President of SF&OC (right), sign the MOU to strengthen collaboration in promoting sports development in Hong Kong.
Mr Edgar Yang, Honorary Secretary General of SF&OC (left), presents a souvenir to Ms Christine Chow, Vice-President (Administration) and Secretary of HKBU (right).
Professor Lyu Aiping, Vice-President (Research and Development) cum Dean of Graduate School (left), and Dr Albert Chau, Vice-President (Teaching and Learning) (right) of HKBU present a souvenir to Dr David Mong, Chairman of HKACED Committee of SF&OC (middle).
Guests attending the MOU signing ceremony pose for a group photo.
SF&OC representatives visited HKBU’s Life Science Imaging Centre.

Recognising sports as a key area for research and talent development, HKBU has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC) to enhance athlete development, promote innovation in sports technology, and foster knowledge exchange between academia and the sports sector. This partnership underscores HKBU’s long-standing commitment to sports sciences and sports industry development.

Contributing to advancing sports in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area

“Signing the MOU will deepen the collaboration between the two parties in various areas, including offering more flexible study arrangements which allow athletes to pursue sporting excellence and higher education at the same time; embarking on applied research together to enhance athletes’ sporting performance; and promoting the development of sports in Hong Kong to benefit the wider community,” said Professor Alex Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU, at the ceremony held on 13 April.

Professor Wai added that HKBU shares SF&OC’s vision of promoting the holistic development of athletes and looks forward to forging an even closer partnership with the Hong Kong Athletes Career & Education Department (HKACED) of the SF&OC.

Speaking at the event, Dr Timothy Fok, President of SF&OC, said: “Under this collaboration framework, athletes recommended by HKACED and successfully admitted to HKBU will receive comprehensive learning support, as well as benefit from the support measures HKBU provides for student athletes. This will enable them to balance training, competitions, and academic studies more effectively, laying a strong foundation for their future development.”

Supporting athletes' all-round development

Under the agreement, HKBU and SF&OC will explore and promote collaboration opportunities in teaching and research initiatives related to sports and sports industry management. These will include academic programme development, internship opportunities, recommendation of elite athletes for HKBU’s Talented Athletes Direct Admission Scheme, support for research projects, and organisation of seminars, conferences, or workshops to address issues and development needs in sports and sports industry management.

The MOU was signed by Professor Alex Wai and Dr Timothy Fok. Representatives of SF&OC who joined the signing ceremony included Mr Edgar Yang, Honorary Secretary General of SF&OC; Dr David Mong, Chairman of HKACED Committee; Ms Candy Nip (Ex-officio - Representative of Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau); Dr Karl Kwok, Mr Cheng Ka-ho, and Mr Kent Yau, Members of HKACED Committee; and Mr Albert Man, Chief Executive.

HKBU representatives who joined the signing ceremony were Professor Lyu Aiping, Vice-President (Research and Development) cum Dean of Graduate School; Dr Albert Chau, Vice-President (Teaching and Learning); Ms Christine Chow, Vice-President (Administration) and Secretary; Professor Terence Lau, Interim Chief Innovation Officer; Professor Liu Jiming, Associate Provost; and Professor Andrew Kwok, Associate Vice-President (Curriculum and Pedagogies).

At the event, HKBU student-athletes and alumni shared their experience in balancing sports and studies, and their journey from professional athletes to pursuing new careers. They included Lau Chi-lung, a current student and wushu athlete; alumna Poon Pak-yan, a former rugby and athletics athlete; and alumna Joey Chan Ho-ling, a former squash athlete.