Press Release

HKBU welcomes students from more than 30 countries and regions at its 70th Convocation 

Friday, 29 August 2025

 

Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) welcomed a new cohort of students at the 70th Convocation today (29 August) which was well attended by around 1,300 students. The event marked the start of the 2025-26 academic year and signified the beginning of the freshmen’s transformative journey towards intellectual and personal growth at HKBU. Professor Alex Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU, encouraged the freshmen to pursue excellence and innovation for the betterment of Hong Kong, the Nation, and the world.

The diverse and multicultural community of students enrolled in HKBU this year reflected the University’s ongoing efforts in creating an internationalised and dynamic learning environment conducive to the nurturing of future talents with a global outlook and cross-cultural perspective. Apart from local students, the freshmen come from more than 30 countries and regions including the Mainland, Belt and Road countries, Africa, America, Europe and other parts of the world.

The Convocation was presided over by Dr the Hon Kennedy Wong Ying-ho, Chairman of the Council and the Court of HKBU. The freshmen were introduced to different aspects of teaching and learning at HKBU and other useful information essential to a fulfilling campus life at the University.

In his address, Professor Alex Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU, pointed out that HKBU is a place where students’ unique talents, abilities and perspectives are welcomed and embraced. “What sets HKBU apart is our deep commitment to whole-person education and transdisciplinary learning, teaching and research. We actively connect the humanities with the sciences, the arts with technology, in order to foster collaborations, generate insights, and cultivate innovation across boundaries,” said Professor Wai.

He added that every HKBU student will attain a basic level of AI literacy beginning this academic year. “We see AI as a partner for human ingenuity, not a replacement. This is why we integrate it thoughtfully into our curriculum, enabling students to gain both technical fluency and the wisdom to apply it meaningfully.”

Professor Wai noted that while HKBU is rooted in Hong Kong with a campus in Zhuhai at the heart of the Greater Bay Area, the University’s networks and presence reach far beyond these locations. In addition, HKBU’s extensive exchange programmes with over 380 partners offer students the chance to develop the cultural fluency and global mindset required of global citizens and future leaders. “Our increasing internationalisation is evidenced by a double-digit growth in the number of non-local applicants for undergraduate study. This highlights HKBU’s position as Asia's premier destination for cross-cultural learning,” he added.

Please click here for Professor Wai’s full speech.

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HKBU holds its 70th Convocation, marking the start of the 2025-26 academic year and signifying the beginning of the freshmen’s transformative journey towards intellectual and personal growth at HKBU.
In his address, Professor Alex Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU, encourages the freshmen to pursue excellence and innovation for the betterment of Hong Kong, the Nation, and the world.
Dr the Hon Kennedy Wong Ying-ho, Chairman of the Council and the Court (centre, front row); Professor Alex Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor (4th left, front row); and Dr Albert Chau, Vice-President (Teaching and Learning) of HKBU (4th right, front row), welcome a new cohort of students.