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The University of Hong Kong (HKU) inaugurated the School of Computing and Data Science (CDS) with an opening ceremony on 24 October. The School of CDS aims to cultivate future tech leaders in areas such as computer science, data science, artificial intelligence, statistical decision sciences, fintech and actuarial science. It plans to leverage HKU's research prowess to assemble a multidisciplinary cohort of scholars who will devise innovative, data-driven solutions that address societal challenges.

The opening ceremony was officiated by Professor Dong SUN, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government; Professor Xiang ZHANG, President and Vice-Chancellor; Professor Tong ZHANG, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Engineering; Professor Xuechen LI, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Science; and Professor Yi MA, Director of the School of CDS. Other esteemed guests at the ceremony included members of the Legislative Council as well as representatives from different sectors and industries.

In his welcoming remarks, Professor Xiang ZHANG said, “Education has been undergoing rapid transformation because of the development of digital technologies and AI... the creation of this new School is much more than gathering our faculty members: it brings synergy to explore the frontier of AI and address how education will be transformed. HKU has the potential to create a much greater impact on society. We envision this new School will make a significant impact not only in Hong Kong but also in the world.”

In his address, Professor Dong SUN said, “As we navigate the digital age where data-driven knowledge is paramount, there will be an increasing need for skilled professionals in the fast-growing innovation and technology (I&T) sector. I am pleased to learn that the new school at HKU will offer a range of programmes on computing, data science and statistics, including a new programme on AI and data science. These programmes will play a key role in cultivating the problem-solvers and innovators of tomorrow, and this is perfectly in line with the Government’s goal of driving the growth of I&T industry and data-based digital economy, as well as enlarging I&T talent pool in Hong Kong.”

Professor Yi MA remarked, “At the HKU School of CDS, our vision transcends the traditional boundaries of science and engineering. We are dedicated to nurturing a vibrant academic platform that fosters transformative education, multidisciplinary research, and technological innovation. Looking beyond campus, we are forging strategic partnerships with leading universities, research institutions, and industry partners such as Tsinghua University and the Zhejiang Lab, as well as many industrial partners in the Greater Bay Area. These collaborations are integral to our mission of developing and disseminating knowledge and driving innovation.”

The ceremony was followed by keynote speeches from distinguished speakers, including Professor Shing-tung YAU, Dean of Qiuzhen College at Tsinghua University, and Dr Qi LU, Founder of MiraclePlus, who discussed the development of artificial intelligence and education.

Formally established on 1 July 2024, the School of CDS is committed to reforming traditional educational frameworks to meet the evolving needs of our industry and society, aligning with both local and national strategic scientific and technological initiatives. It offers various undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and will admit students directly starting from the academic year 2025-26.

For media enquiries, please contact: 
PR and Communications team, School of Computing and Data Science, HKU
(Tel.: 3917 0434 / E-mail: cdsnews@hku.hk)