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

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

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.

Library services were established in the Main Building.

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.

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

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

The Fung Ping Shan Library established.

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.

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

The study of architecture was first introduced to the University.

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

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.

The Faculty of Social Sciences was established.

The Law Department was established.

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

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

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.

The Graduate School was established.

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

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.

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

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

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.

The opening of HKU-Shenzhen Hospital.

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

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.

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

The University marked its 111^th Anniversary.

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