HKU opens Zhangjiang Phase II, touts research efficiency
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
The University of Hong Kong has formally launched Phase II of its Zhangjiang base in Shanghai, expanding its mainland research and teaching footprint with new artificial intelligence, smart computing and collaboration facilities. At the opening, Vice-Chancellor and President Zhang Xiang said HKU has only about half the funding of Tsinghua University in Beijing, yet achieves similar academic rankings and research output, and in some measures performs even better
Key Points
- HKU said the newly completed Phase II in Shanghai includes two buildings, with Building 3 housing AI laboratories, research and partnership labs, a Smart Computing Institute and teaching collaboration facilities
- Building 5 adds space for student sports, exchanges and diverse activities, while a new University Hall brings HKU’s traditional high table dinner format to Shanghai
- Speaking before the opening ceremony at an Excellence Talent Forum, Zhang Xiang said that in the AI era, acquiring knowledge is no longer the university’s only goal
- Zhang said future talent must work across disciplines and alongside robots and AI, requiring stronger critical thinking, creativity and major changes in disciplinary and interdisciplinary training
- During the forum, HKU’s School of Computing and Data Science unveiled joint laboratories in smart healthcare and embodied intelligence, and signed cooperation agreements with 13 companies in embodied intelligence, fintech and AI infrastructure
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, the Shanghai expansion shows how HKU is deepening its role in cross-border research, industry collaboration and talent development at a time when AI is reshaping higher education priorities. Zhang’s comparison with Tsinghua also sharpens the debate over whether Hong Kong universities can turn relatively leaner funding into stronger research efficiency and international competitiveness