PolyU rises steadily in the latest QS World University Rankings, securing a place among the global top 50

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has risen to 50th place globally in the latest QS World University Rankings 2027 released by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), marking a record-high position for the University. The milestone reflects strong international recognition of PolyU’s academic excellence, research and innovation capabilities, and overall institutional strength, further elevating its standing in the global higher education landscape.

Dr LAM Tai-fai, PolyU Council Chairman, said, “The year 2027 marks the 90th anniversary of PolyU. At this particularly significant moment, the University is delighted to have achieved another excellent result in the latest QS World University Rankings 2027. The PolyU team and I are greatly encouraged and inspired by this achievement, which is truly gratifying.

PolyU has progressed in a consistent and steady manner in accordance with its development blueprint, moving forward pragmatically and purposefully. Today, the University has successfully joined the ranks of the world’s top 50 universities, reaching an important milestone in its development journey. This achievement has not come easily. It is the result of the dedicated efforts of all PolyU staff, especially the senior management, as well as the strong support and guidance of all stakeholders, including our alumni, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Central Government. On behalf of PolyU, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to them all.

Looking back to 2019, when I was first appointed as the Council Chairman, Hong Kong was going through an extremely difficult period in its history. The black-clad violence at that time caused serious damage to the University campus, and there were misunderstandings and negative comments about PolyU from some sectors of society. In the face of such complicated situations and difficult circumstances, our work was highly challenging and carried enormous pressure. However, all members of the PolyU community united and worked tirelessly, upholding the University motto, “To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind”. Through these efforts, PolyU’s QS World University Rankings have continued to rise steadily, from 106th in 2019 to 75th in 2021, 65th in 2023, 57th in 2025, and now 50th in 2027. These results are truly encouraging.

As the Nation is committed to becoming a leading country in education, technology, and talent cultivation, PolyU, as an world-class innovative university with affection for both the country and Hong Kong, is deeply conscious of its responsibilities and the long journey ahead. We will fully integrate into and serve the Nation’s overall development strategy, remain steadfast in our educational mission, and strive to nurture outstanding talent with a strong sense of national pride, a global perspective, and a commitment to serving society and contributing to the country. While continuing to pursue excellence in education and research, PolyU will also give its full support to Hong Kong’s development into an international hub for post-secondary education and high-calibre talents, and an international innovation and technology centre.

PolyU has long faced a serious shortage of campus land and space, which has greatly constrained the University’s long-term and healthy development. Faced with this pressing issue, a practical solution must be found as soon as possible. We will step up collaboration with provincial and municipal governments as well as universities in the Chinese Mainland to help alleviate the current pressure on land resources and space. From a long-term development perspective, Hong Kong is formulating its first Five-Year Plan, and we hope that the Northern Metropolis University Town will provide PolyU with sufficient land and development space, laying a stronger foundation and creating more favourable conditions for the University’s future expansion. PolyU looks forward to the continued support of the Central and HKSAR Governments, various sectors of society and all University stakeholders, so that together we can move ahead with determination and courage, scale new heights in learning and teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international impact, make greater contributions to Hong Kong and the Nation, and achieve new peaks in world university rankings.”

Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU, said, “PolyU’s steady rise in global rankings over the years is clear evidence of the University’s substantial progress in learning and teaching, impactful research, and other key areas. Looking ahead, PolyU will further integrate into and serve the Nation’s overall development strategy, fully leveraging the University’s unique strengths. With the integrated development of education, technology and talents as our core focus, and building on our existing network of translational research institutes across 12 cities in the Chinese Mainland, we will respond to local industrial and societal needs, accelerate the application of frontier technologies, promote the commercialisation of research outcomes, and deepen industry-academia-research collaboration, thereby making greater contributions to national development, high-quality growth and the building of the Nation into a global science and technology powerhouse.

At the same time, PolyU will support Hong Kong’s development into an international hub for post-secondary education. We are actively seeking to participate in the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town to lay a solid foundation for the University’s long-term growth, while steadily advancing the upgrading of the College of Professional and Continuing Education (CPCE) into a private university.”

Breaking into the global top 50 marks an important achievement in PolyU’s development. The University will continue to progress steadily, focusing on world-class learning and teaching as well as world-leading research and innovation, and pressing ahead with its long-term development plans to contribute to higher education as well as the development of Hong Kong, the Nation and the world.

***END***