Press Release
HKBU signs MOU with SF&OC to strengthen collaboration in talent and sports development
Monday, 13 April 2026
Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) and the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today (13 April). The partnership aims to enhance talent development, promote innovation in sports technology, and foster knowledge exchange between academia and the sports sector, contributing to the overall advancement of sports in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.
The MOU was signed by Professor Alex Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU, and Dr Timothy Fok, President of SF&OC. 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.
In his speech at the signing ceremony, Professor Alex Wai said that HKBU has always placed great importance on sports sciences and sports industry development, recognising sports as a key area for research and talent nurturing. 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.
“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 Wai.
Speaking at the event, Dr Timothy Fok noted that HKBU has a solid foundation and unique advantage in nurturing student athletes and in areas related to sports management, enabling the University to offer athletes professional and customised learning opportunities. This aligns with SF&OC’s philosophy of supporting athletes’ all-round development and makes the MOU particularly meaningful.
“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,” added Dr Fok.
HKBU student-athletes and alumni, including 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, shared their experience in balancing sports and studies, and their journey from professional athletes to pursuing new careers.
Guest 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.
Guest representatives of HKBU 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).
After the MOU signing ceremony, SF&OC representatives visited HKBU’s Life Science Imaging Centre, a central research facility at the University to promote individual and collaborative research on transdisciplinary neuroscience studies.
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Jointly Issued By
Hong Kong Baptist University and Hong Kong Athletes Career & Education Department of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China
About Hong Kong Baptist University
As one of Asia’s finest institutions of higher education, Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) is committed to nurturing future-shaping talents, providing them with a broad-based, transdisciplinary and creative education, as well as offering a diverse range of programmes spanning the arts, business, Chinese medicine, communication, social sciences, science, technology and sport. To tap into the strengths of the University, HKBU has established four overarching research clusters in key areas of excellence that cover Creative Media and Practice, Health and Drug Discovery, Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence, and Humanities and Cultures, translating its research excellence into tangible benefits, with positive impact for the community and the development of Hong Kong, the nation, the region and the world.
About Hong Kong Athletes Career & Education Department, SF&OC
The Hong Kong Athletes Career & Education Department (HKACED) of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC) provides five core services for elite athletes in Hong Kong: Career, Education, Life Skills, Athletes Consultation and Sports Legacy Scheme. These services help athletes build respect, self-confidence, and competitiveness as influential youth leaders in the global market. For details, please visit: https://hkacep.org/
