Data science, AI slip as 53% of Hong Kong’s university subjects fall in QS rankings

Hong Kong’s universities have recorded their sharpest declines in three years in global subject rankings, with more than half of the 266 offerings – including data science and AI – slipping down their respective tables, according to a UK-based education analyst.

Despite the overall drop, dentistry at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) remained second in the world – the city’s highest-ranked subject – while performing arts at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) regained its 10th place and education at the Education University of Hong Kong (EdU) entered the global top 10 for the first time.

According to the 2026 annual subject rankings released on Wednesday by British firm Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) on Wednesday, 140 out of 266 – or 53 per cent – of academic offerings in the city’s universities fell in the rankings, while fewer than a quarter improved.

The last time a greater proportion of subjects dropped in the rankings was in 2023, when 67 per cent recorded declines.

QS senior vice-president Ben Sowter said competitive pressures were intensifying as other regions continue to strengthen.

Source link

Visited 1 times, 1 visit(s) today

Hong Kong’s TVB logs US$7.5 million profit, shaking off 7 years of losses

Hong Kong’s biggest free-to-air broadcaster swung to a profit of HK$59 million (US$7.5 million) in 2025 from a loss of HK$491 million a year earlier, as threefold growth in revenue from the Greater Bay Area helped shake off a streak of annual losses that began in 2018. Television Broadcasts (TVB) said in a stock exchange

25 March 2026

New 200-berth marina, clubhouse planned in Hong Kong revamp of Aberdeen site

A section of Hong Kong Island’s southwest coast at Aberdeen will be revamped into a new marina with 200 berths, a clubhouse and about 250 private flats by 2032 as part of government efforts to boost yacht tourism. The Development Bureau said on Wednesday that it aimed to launch a tender in the first half

25 March 2026

Zhang Dongmei named new deputy director of office overseeing Hong Kong affairs

Beijing has selected Zhang Dongmei, a former vice-president of the All-China Women’s Federation, as a new deputy director of the top office overseeing Hong Kong affairs, making her the first woman to take on the role since the body’s status was elevated in 2023. Zhang’s appointment as the new deputy head of the Hong Kong

25 March 2026

China Mobile bets on Hong Kong as gateway for global computing flows

China Mobile has invested nearly HK$10 billion (US$1.28 billion) over five years to help turn Hong Kong into a global computing hub, integrating the city into China’s national network. The world’s largest telecoms operator by subscribers on Wednesday opened a new data centre in northern Hong Kong and said it would step up investment in

25 March 2026

CityU professor gets 4½ months in prison for offering HK$1,000 bribe to agent

A City University (CityU) professor has been sentenced to 4½ months in prison for offering a HK$1,000 (US$128) bribe to a Hong Kong property agent, after a magistrate dismissed the defendant’s claims that the situation arose from “cultural differences”. Du Du, 48, an associate professor at the university’s economics and finance department, was granted bail

25 March 2026

Former Hong Kong exchange executive Ba Shusong reported out of public sight

The former managing director and chief China economist of bourse operator Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX), Ba Shusong, has not appeared in public recently and could not be contacted, according to two sources familiar with the situation. Ba is important academic who frequently gave speeches at major conferences over the past decade on behalf

25 March 2026

Cross-Stream Art Exhibition at The Hong Kong Arts Centre

GSIS exemplifying the benefits of bilingual education

[The content of this article has been produced by our advertising partner.] The German Swiss International School (GSIS) in Hong Kong has long been recognised for the quality of education and breadth of opportunities it provides. Admitting applicants of all nationalities from kindergarten through to the completion of secondary level, the school offers two streams

25 March 2026

Hong Kong’s MTR Corp to upgrade Tung Chung line signalling system on Sunday night

Hong Kong’s MTR Corporation will carry out overnight signalling upgrade works on Sunday as part of preparations for the partial opening of the Tung Chung line extension later this year. Representatives from the city’s sole rail operator also said on Wednesday that the HK$19.5 billion (US$2.5 billion) project remained unaffected by a counterfeit brick scandal

25 March 2026

Pop Mart shares dive despite soaring profit as investors fear Labubu dependence

Chinese toymaker Pop Mart reported strong annual growth in revenue and net profit for 2025, but not enough to alleviate investor fears that the company remains too reliant on the Labubu phenomenon. Annual revenue jumped 184.7 per cent from a year earlier to 37.12 billion yuan (US$5.4 billion), while net profit surged 284.5 per cent

25 March 2026

More websites, mobile apps for children collecting personal data, study finds

A global investigation involving Hong Kong authorities has found that more websites and mobile apps designed for children are collecting personal data – ranging from phone numbers to addresses – than they did 10 years ago. The 2025 Global Privacy Enforcement Network Sweep, which included the participation of Hong Kong’s Office of the Privacy Commissioner

25 March 2026

Leniency shown to Hong Kong immigration worker who repeatedly assaulted wife and son

A Hong Kong court has granted further leniency to a senior Immigration Department assistant, placing him on a one-year probation order after he was convicted of repeatedly choking his wife and young son during domestic disputes. Kowloon City Court heard on Wednesday that the 49-year-old defendant, identified as “ATK”, preferred probation to community service because

25 March 2026

John Lee (left) meets Hainan party secretary Feng Fei on Wednesday. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong, Hainan can ‘forge strong partnership’, build on strengths: John Lee

Hong Kong and Hainan should forge a strong partnership and explore new models of cooperation, the city’s leader has said, urging the business sector to capitalise on the mainland Chinese province’s free-trade port status by offering professional services in areas such as finance, law and accounting. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s call followed a meeting

25 March 2026

Hong Kong’s ICAC charges 5 over alleged building renovation bribery scheme

Hong Kong’s anti-corruption watchdog has charged five people over alleged bribes – including casino chips and red packets – offered to flat owners and owner corporation members during large-scale renovation projects, worth about HK$90 million (US$11.5 million), at three housing estates. The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) on Wednesday disclosed details of its crackdown on

25 March 2026

Hong Kong court confirms rape conviction of Swedish businessman

Swedish businessman Patrik Tobias Ekstrom, whose rape conviction was upheld by Hong Kong’s Court of Appeal. Photo: Hong Kong Free Press/HKFP Hong Kong’s Court of Appeal has rejected the appeal of Swedish businessman Patrik Tobias Ekstrom, confirming his convictions for raping his Nepalese domestic helper and committing non‑consensual buggery, Dimsum Daily reports. He was ordered

25 March 2026

Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison expands Panama ports claim as losses ‘surpass’ US$2 billion

A subsidiary of Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison Holdings has expanded international arbitration claims against Panama, alleging damages have “escalated beyond US$2 billion” in what it called an “illegal takeover” of ports and property. The expanded claims, announced on Tuesday local time by the Panama Ports Company (PPC), part of Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing’s

25 March 2026

Exclusive | Turkey’s biggest private bank plans Hong Kong entry amid Middle East tensions: sources

Turkey’s largest private bank plans to set up a Hong Kong office, according to sources familiar with the matter, in a move that underscores the city’s role as a gateway for lenders seeking to connect China and Asian markets with the Middle East. Turkiye Is Bankasi’s board approved the Hong Kong expansion plan two months

25 March 2026

Opinion | The case for spiritual wellness in an age of anxious youth

For most of my career in developmental and educational psychology, I have been guided by a single question: what do children truly need to flourish in the world they are entering? I don’t mean the world their parents inherited or the one textbooks were designed for, but the one unfolding – volatile, technology-saturated and deeply

25 March 2026

People cross a road near a shopping centre in Beijing on March 7. Photo: AFP

China consumer stocks jump on strong earnings, but analysts warn of limited recovery

Major Chinese consumer stocks listed in Hong Kong rose sharply following strong full-year earnings, though analysts said the results did not point to a broad recovery in the consumer market but rather highlighted structural divergence and new growth drivers in mainland China consumption. Bubble tea chain Mixue Group posted better-than-expected results for 2025, with sales

25 March 2026

Cathay’s European services could offset Middle East losses, experts say

Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways’ extended suspension of its Middle Eastern flights is likely to have a limited financial impact on its passenger operations as its expanded European services should help offset losses, aviation experts have said. But they warned of broader effects on its cargo business, given the loss of the Middle

25 March 2026

People walking towards a modern, architecturally striking building with a large overhang and suspended lamps.

The Ultimate Guide to Hong Kong for Art and Design Lovers

Hong Kong has long served as East Asia’s arts hub, facilitating cultural exchanges between Mainland China and the rest of the world for centuries. This week, the Art Basel Hong Kong fair returns to the city’s Convention Center, March 27—29, anchoring a week’s worth of events and programs that will draw art aficionados and enthusiasts

24 March 2026

Data science, AI slip as 53% of Hong Kong’s university subjects fall in QS rankings

Related Article