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Our History

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) is the oldest tertiary education institution in Hong Kong.

March 16, 1910

Sir Frederick Lugard, the then Governor of Hong Kong, laid the foundation stone for the University.

March 30, 1911

The University was first incorporated in Hong Kong as a governing body of scholars by the University Ordinance.

March 11, 1912

The University was officially opened, and Arts, Engineering and Medicine became its first Faculties. The Faculty of Medicine evolved from the Hong Kong College of Medicine, founded in 1887. Dr Sun Yat-sen was one of the most renowned early alumni of the College. Click here for more information about Dr Sun Yat-Sen.

October 1912

Library services were established in the Main Building.

1913

The University was granted a shield and a motto by the College of Arms. Learn more about the history of HKU’s visual identity and how to display it here.

December 1916

The University held its first congregation, with just 23 graduates.

1921

It was ten years after the founding of HKU that women students were admitted for the first time.

1932

The Fung Ping Shan Library established.

1937

Queen Mary Hospital opened and has served as the University’s teaching hospital since then. Before the outbreak of the Second World War, which would bring academic activities to a halt, there were four Faculties - Arts, Engineering, Medicine, and Science.

After 1945

The University underwent structural developments as post-war reconstruction efforts began in earnest.

1951

The study of architecture was first introduced to the University.

1956

In response to the demands of a rapidly changing society, a Department of Extra-Mural Studies was established to provide continuing adult education.

1961

When the University celebrated its golden jubilee, it had more than 2,000 students, four times greater than in 1941. The Main Library (today’s “Old Wing”) opened.

1967

The Faculty of Social Sciences was established.

1969

The Law Department was established.

1982

The Faculty of Dentistry, based at the Prince Philip Dental Hospital, was established. It remains Hong Kong’s only faculty for training dental professionals.

1984

Both Architecture and Education became fully-fledged faculties, and in the same year a separate Law Faculty was created.

1992

The Department of Extra-Mural Studies became the School of Professional and Continuing Education (HKU SPACE) and remains Hong Kong's largest tertiary-level institution for continuing education.

1998

The Graduate School was established.

2001

The University’s tenth faculty, the Faculty of Business and Economics, was established.

2003

During the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), HKU medical researchers became the first in the world to identify the coronavirus that caused the SARS.

2005

The Faculty of Medicine was renamed as the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine.

2010 to 2012

The University held Centenary Celebrations to mark its 100th anniversary.

2012

Along with all the other institutions of higher learning in Hong Kong and in accordance with the government’s education policy – the University officially launches its 4-year undergraduate curriculum.

July 2012

The opening of HKU-Shenzhen Hospital.

2015

HKU became the first university in the world to launch on campus the United Nations Women’s HeForShe initiative.

2020

HKU experts from many faculties helped combat the COVID-19 outbreak with impactful research and community support projects, while also providing useful insights as Government experts.

2022

The Main Building used as a Community Vaccination Centre, as the COVID-19 situation worsens in the city.

2022

The University marked its 111th Anniversary.

Today

Discover more about HKU's current profile at figures at a glance.

HKU Building
HKU history photo
Woman graduation
HKU Building
HKU history photo
HKU Building
Tech Landmark Groundbreaking
Trigger Embed Code