#China #Dongguan #Graduation #CityUHK

CityUHK Dongguan Celebrates First Graduation Ceremony

On June 22, 2026, the City University of Hong Kong (Dongguan) held its first graduation ceremony for the Class of 2026. This landmark event saw over 420 master's degree graduates travel from Dongguan to Hong Kong, marking the official inauguration of the university's global alumni network.

High-profile guests included Leung Chun-ying, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC); Li Jun, Deputy Mayor of the Dongguan Municipal Government; Chen Yulin, Director of the Department of Educational, Scientific, and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; and several prominent professors from CityUHK.

In his speech, Leung Chun-ying emphasized the importance of cross-border education at CityUHK Dongguan. He encouraged graduates to seize opportunities within the Greater Bay Area to drive innovation on both regional and national levels.

Li Jun praised the CityUHK (Dongguan) project as a flagship initiative within the Greater Bay Area, leveraging robust local industrial and innovation resources, and urged graduates to build their careers across various sectors in Dongguan.

Professor Michael Ngai highlighted CityUHK's international acclaim, as it was awarded by Times Higher Education as “the most international university in the world” for three consecutive years. He also noted its impressive rankings, including 47th in the U.S. News World Report for the best global universities for 2026-2027 and 52nd in the QS World University Rankings for 2027. Ngai inspired graduates to adopt an entrepreneurial spirit and embrace the motto, “The future belongs to those who dare.”

Professor Chun-Sing Lee described universities as integral components of urban growth. In his address, he urged graduates to take thoughtful first steps in their professional journeys and to navigate global uncertainties with calm determination.

Professor Duan Baoyan opened his speech with the saying, “Life is a journey, but a career is a marathon.” He stressed the importance of starting strong, remaining calm amid global challenges, and striving to achieve ambitious dreams with unwavering perseverance.

During the ceremony, Leung Chun-ying presented certificates to the top ten graduates, including student representative Nie Liheng, who shared how studying at Dongguan has fostered his resilience and provided him with a cross-border perspective.

Professor Michael Ngai appointed the first ambassadors responsible for alumni relations to ensure a lasting connection between graduates from Dongguan and Hong Kong.

Proudly, many graduates have already secured prestigious job offers from leading private companies, state-owned enterprises, and research institutions like Tencent, Alibaba, ByteDance, and more. Some graduates are opting to work in Hong Kong under the special visa program for non-local graduates (IANG), while others are pursuing doctoral studies at renowned institutions such as Nanyang Technological University, CityUHK, Fudan University, and Harbin Institute of Technology.

Founded in 2024, CityUHK (Dongguan) has rapidly developed over the past two years, and is committed to promoting interdisciplinary education that aligns with professional needs and opens international opportunities for future students.

As CityUHK (Dongguan) continues its journey, it remains dedicated to fostering an innovative educational environment that nurtures talent and prepares graduates to meet the challenges of tomorrow's world.