Hong Kong Shue Yan University has made steady strides in the QS World University Rankings: Asia 2025, climbing to 342nd position from last year’s range of 351-400. The University management expressed their gratitude to the faculty, students, and broader university community for their dedicated contributions towards this achievement, which underscores the University’s strong academic commitment and bolstered research initiatives.
Professor Selina CHAN Ching, HKSYU Academic Vice President, noted that this progress is particularly commendable given the increase in more than 100 universities participating in this year’s QS Asia rankings. “The result reflects HKSYU’s sustained competitiveness,” she said, pointing to the University’s research intensity is highlighted by QS.
Professor CHAN said it is a testament to colleagues’ efforts in advancing research and driving community-oriented initiatives in collaboration with the industry over the past few years. She affirmed the University’s commitment to expand research in the field of Digital Humanities, benefiting professional communities.
Looking towards the future, HKSYU has outlined the “Five Ps” plan: Programmes, Practices, Profile, People and Place. For Programmes, Professor Chan said the University will ensure its curriculum remains relevant to the digital age and market demands. On Practices, the University aspires to broaden student internships and work experience placements beyond Hong Kong, encouraging students to explore opportunities in the Greater Bay Area, Beijing, Shanghai and overseas. Under Profile, she emphasized the need for greater public visibility to showcase the University’s accomplishments.
Professor CHAN added that the University stands out in cultural heritage and mental health fields and expressed optimism for continued growth. One particular notable initiative is the launch of the “Intangible Cultural Heritage Metaverse” project. Supported by the Intangible Cultural Heritage Office, the project utilizes VR technology to bring the Cheung Chau Bun Festival to audience digitally. Led by Professor Chan and involving faculty from the Applied Data Science and Sociology departments, this initiative exemplifies HKSYU’s dedication to interdisciplinary collaboration in preserving and promoting local traditions.
Dr Jason CHOW Tak-sang, HKSYU Vice President (University Administration), said the rise in the QS ranking reflects the University’s years of commitment to teaching, research and investing in campus infrastructure through the lens of Digital Humanities. He likened it to a dragon boat race, with everyone from management to faculty and students working toward the same goal. Yet, Dr CHOW acknowledged that many of the University’s core values, such as Confucian ethics and dedication to student development, are not directly measurable in the ranking metrics. He hopes HKSYU will continue to pursue both the “visible and invisible” elements that define it s identity.
Dr CHOW said Digital Humanities at HKSYU is about harnessing digital technologies to enrich humanities education and research. The University currently has several funded research projects, leveraging digital technology to promote traditional culture, enhance students’ learning experiences, and support innovative teaching methods. He said the University’s future priorities include advancing digital humanities, promoting innovative approaches that integrate traditional practices, and creating pathways for students to apply their learning in real-world contexts.
Dr Alex LI Wang-on, Associate Academic Vice President (University Research) of HKSYU, highlighted the university’s strong focus on developing interdisciplinary research and Digital Humanities. HKSYU is a close-knit community fostering collaboration across disciplines and enables faculty to share insights in teaching and research. Dr LI also noted the growing presence of coursework and research projects in the field of Digital Humanities. He stressed the importance of forging stronger partnerships with the industry to enhance the recognition of graduates and provide them with a competitive edge in their careers.
Source: January 2025 Issue