Page 9 - HKSYU Prospectus 2023-24

University History

The year 2006 marked the culmination of a process of institutional changes that had
started in 1996, when the College submitted a request to the Hong Kong Council for Academic
Accreditation (HKCAA) for accreditation as a degree-awarding institution. In the ensuing ten
years, the College underwent a series of institutional reviews and developed ten four-year
honours degree programmes, which were successfully validated by the HKCAA and introduced
between 2001 and 2005. In 2006, a specially convened Institutional Review Panel
recommended that, on the basis of its track record of offering high quality degree programmes,
Shue Yan College should be granted university title. Upon completion of legal formalities, the
title of Shue Yan University was granted by the Chief Executive in Council on 19th December
2006, and Shue Yan University became the first private university in Hong Kong. The Chief
Executive, the Hon. Donald Tsang, G.B.M., also graciously agreed to join the university
community in celebrations to mark the attainment of university status on 14th February 2007.

In 2008, the Grand Bauhinia Medal was awarded to the University’s President, Dr. Henry
H. L. Hu, in recognition of his life-long dedication and contribution to public and community
service, particularly in broadening the tertiary education opportunities of the younger
generation by establishing Hong Kong Shue Yan University. The citation noted that Dr. Hu had
devoted substantial financial resources and personal efforts to continuously improve the
University and its students’ learning experience over the previous 36 years.

In 2010 the University launched its first post-graduate programme, the Master of Social
Sciences in Counselling Psychology, following successful validation by the HKCAAVQ. As of
2023 the University offers 4 taught Master’s programmes, a taught doctorate and MPhil and
PhD programmes in six programme areas. The research postgraduate programmes first
offered in September 2018, have successfully produced the first batch of MPhil graduates in
2021 and a PhD graduate in 2023.

A piece of land adjacent next to the Residential and Amenities Complex was granted to
the University by the Government in April 2011 for the construction of a new research complex
with additional student hostel, teaching and learning facilities.

In 2016/17 the University celebrated its 45th anniversary with a series of activities
throughout the year. On 2nd June 2017 the Hon. Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, G.B.M., G.B.S.,
J.P., Chief Secretary for Administration, officiated at the 45th Anniversary Reception and
Opening Ceremony of the Research Complex. Mr. Cheung also presented a Lifetime
Achievement Award to Dr. Henry H. L. HU on behalf of the University, in recognition of his
contribution to Shue Yan and education.

In academic year 2019/20, the University was forced to switch from face-to-face learning
to online learning to maintain its teaching schedule during campus closures caused by the
COVID-19 pandemic. This marked the start of three years of serious disruption to normal
campus life.

p. 5