The School of Governance and Policy invites applications is pleased to announce a career opportunity for outstanding scholars in the field of global governance and institutions. Applications are now invited for the position of Tenure-track Assistant Professor (Ref.: 534414), with the appointment commencing as soon as possible.

We welcome applications from scholars with a strong commitment to academic excellence and impactful research. Join us in shaping the future of governance and policy in Hong Kong, Asia, and beyond.

Job opening details: https://jobs.hku.hk/cw/en/job/534414/tenuretrack-assistant-professor-in-global-governance-and-institutions-at-the-school-of-governance-and-policy

About the School of Governance and Policy

Established in 2025, HKU School of Governance and Policy (SGP) is jointly allocated to the Faculty of Social Sciences, the Faculty of Business and Economics, and the Faculty of Law. Bringing together the Asia Global Institute and the Centre on Contemporary China and the World under one umbrella, SGP is dedicated to advancing excellence in global governance and policy analysis, strategically positioned at the intersection of the public, non-profit, and private sectors. By uniting leading scholars, practitioners, and students, SGP addresses complex regional and global challenges through innovative, evidence-informed solutions.

The HKU School of Governance and Policy (SGP), HKU Business School and GenAI Fund signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on January 13, 2026, to establish a strategic partnership aimed at advancing governance, leadership, and innovation capacity in Vietnam.

The signing ceremony took place during the “HKU Reception in Vietnam 2026.” The MoU was signed by Professor Kenneth Wong, Director of HKU SGP; Professor Quang Tuan Phan, Chief of the Representative Office of HKU in Vietnam; and Mr. Kai Yong Kang, Partner at GenAI Fund. The signing was witnessed by Professor Jay Siegel, HKU Vice-President and Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning); Mr. Adrian Chan, Executive Director of Executive Education at HKU Business School; and Dr. Hai Nguyen, Deputy Director of the Representative Office of HKU in Vietnam.

Under the MoU, HKU SGP, HKU Business School, and GenAI Fund will collaborate to jointly deliver executive training programmes, undertake applied research initiatives, and support governance and policy capacity-building in Vietnam. These efforts aim to strengthen talent development, foster innovation, and promote sustainable partnerships across sectors.

Professor Kenneth Wong, Director of HKU SGP, stated, “Established in 2025, SGP is committed to advancing excellence in global governance and policy analysis. We bring together scholars, practitioners, and students to address complex challenges with evidence-based solutions. This partnership with GenAI Fund allows us to co-develop leadership and AI governance programmes tailored to the evolving needs of Vietnamese policymakers, supporting a resilient and innovative future for the region.”

About GenAI Fund

Headquartered in Singapore, GenAI Fund is Southeast Asia’s first AI-focused venture capital and innovation platform dedicated to accelerating generative AI adoption and scaling AI-centric technology companies. GenAI Fund provides capital, operational support, and strategic partnerships to drive enterprise innovation and AI transformation across ASEAN.

HKU School of Governance and Policy is pleased to announced the remarkable achievements of Professor Kenneth Wong, Director of the School, on the conferment of The Kerry Group Professorship in Public Policy at the 14th Inauguration of Endowed Professorships.

Professor Wong previously held the position of Walter and Leonore Annenberg Professor of Education Policy, Professor of Political Science, and Professor of International and Public Affairs at Brown University, USA. He has also served on the faculties of the University of Chicago and Vanderbilt University. In addition, he is a non-resident Senior Fellow in Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC, and an elected Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration in the United States.

Professor Wong’s extensive research focuses on public policy, intergovernmental relations, and education governance. His work has been supported by the National Science Foundation, the Institute of Education Sciences, Bloomberg Philanthropies, the British Council, the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, and several other foundations. He has authored or co-authored numerous books, including The Education Mayor: Improving America’s Schools. His co-authored book on the administrative presidency and federalism in the U.S. received the Outstanding Book Award from the National Academy of Public Administration. He is currently editing a research handbook on education policy and federalism worldwide.

This conferment recognises Professor Wong’s years of dedication to research and academic development, and will further empower his leadership and contributions to the field.

About Endowed Professorship

Since its inception in 2005, HKU has established over 130 Endowed Professorships. An Endowed Professorship is among the most prestigious honours granted to distinguished academics at the University, supporting their academic and research endeavours.

To learn more, please visit: https://giving.hku.hk/givingtohku/endowed-professorships

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) joined the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) and the Institute for International Affairs Qianhai of the Chinese University of Hong Kong in co-hosting the GBA-ASEAN Conference on Trade, Finance & Sustainable Development across Hong Kong and Shenzhen on 31 October and 1 November.

The Hong Kong opening ceremony featured addresses by Professor Xiang Zhang, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKU; Mr Joseph Chan, Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury; Mr Chavalit Frederick Tsao, Chairman of Tsao Pao Chee (TPC) Group; and Professor Jeffrey Sachs, University Professor of Columbia University and President of SDSN. Dr Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, delivered an opening speech via video.

In his opening remarks, Professor Xiang Zhang highlighted Asia’s role in fostering connectivity amid global uncertainty, “We meet at a time of rising global uncertainty—yet here in Asia, we are building bridges. Through initiatives like RCEP [Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership] and the Belt and Road, China and ASEAN are shaping a new era of connectivity.” Professor Zhang positioned HKU as both participant and catalyst in this transformation, highlighting the University’s unique position as East-West connector.

Mr Joseph Chan emphasised the importance of leveraging Hong Kong’s strengths to foster deeper regional ties, stating, “Let’s make this conference a catalyst for transformative collaboration between the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and ASEAN. By harnessing Hong Kong’s strength in financial services, and ASEAN’s growth momentum, we can forge resilient, sustainable pathways that benefit our economies, our people, and our planet.”

Dr Kao Kim Hourn deep-dived into the GBA’s strategic role as a global innovation and connectivity hub, noting, “The GBA has emerged as a dynamic hub of innovation, finance, and connectivity, with its deepening ties to ASEAN demonstrating how regional partnerships can drive sustainable growth and build resilience in our interconnected world.” Dr Kao further expressed his hope that the conference would mark the beginning of sustained cooperation.

Mr Chavalit Frederick Tsao pointed to sustainability and shared prosperity as unifying goals, stating that we face a common challenge in sustainability and a shared aspiration for well-being and happiness. Mr Tsao stressed that this reality calls for collaboration rather than competition.

Professor Jeffrey Sachs underscored the GBA’s global leadership, remarking, “The GBA cluster is rated number one in the whole world, in terms of innovation, scientific innovation, university leadership, patenting, advanced technology production—it is extraordinary, it’s a remarkable accomplishment, it’s also a remarkable responsibility for a world that needs these advances.”

The first-day programme in Hong Kong examined sustainable development through four thematic panels. The concluding session, “Human Capital as the Engine for Economic Growth, Sustainability, Peace, and Cross-National Collaboration,” proved particularly significant. Moderated by Professor Kenneth Wong, Director of HKU’s newly established School of Governance and Policy, the session was joined by Professor Richard Wong, Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of HKU and other scholars in Hong Kong and across Asia. The discussion accentuated the role and importance of higher education institutions in forging stronger partnerships between the GBA and ASEAN countries. “In the future, Asia is likely the place of rapid economic growth. Universities in Hong Kong and ASEAN countries are positioned well to create shared prosperity and peace through more proactive collaboration,” said Professor Wong.

The second-day programme in Shenzhen focuses on technology and innovation’s role in regional cooperation. Panels will address AI governance, regional business integration, and sustaining global connectivity, featuring experts from the United Nations, BYD, Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organisation, and other leading institutions.

The conference showed SDSN’s ongoing partnerships with HKU and other Asian institutions, while emphasising the need for global engagement with the region’s development solutions. Such collaborations position HKU at the forefront of addressing both regional and global challenges through academic excellence and policy innovation.

(Credit: The University of Hong Kong)