{
  "id": 3453789,
  "title": "NM campus a test bed for industry collaboration: HKU",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/nm-campus-a-test-bed-for-industry-collaboration-hku-3453789",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-26T07:17:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "RTHK English",
    "slug": "rthk-english",
    "url": "https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1867610-20260826.htm"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The University of Hong Kong (HKU) is transforming its educational approach at its new Northern Metropolis campus, shifting away from traditional methods to focus on real-world industry projects and a multidisciplinary learning approach. President Xiang Zhang, speaking to RTHK, described the initiative as a reimagining of higher education, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration and a fundamental transformation of the learning experience. Zhang highlighted Hong Kong's global city status and HKU's international diversity as unique assets that position the institution to lead this educational evolution. The campus aims to become a truly internationalized powerhouse, aligning with China's 15th Five-Year Plan goals. Rather than conventional lecture-based learning, students will spend their first two years mastering foundational subjects like mathematics and physics, followed by two years dedicated to real-world industry projects where they develop tangible products and address genuine industry challenges. Zhang stressed the importance of cross-disciplinary immersion, noting that modern problems often require expertise across various scientific disciplines. The ultimate goal is to produce graduates equipped to tackle complex, multifaceted challenges in the modern world. Zhang envisions the new campus as a living test bed for industry collaboration, effectively merging the traditional divisions between classroom, laboratory, and the marketplace. This innovative model represents a new era of university education, distinct from traditional institutions.",
  "summary": "The University of Hong Kong (HKU) is planning a radical departure from traditional education at its new Northern Metropolis campus, with an emphasis on real-world industry projects and a multidisciplinary learning approach. Outlining the vision in an interview with RTHK, President Xiang Zhang said the goal is to build a \"truly internationalised powerhouse\", which aligns with the goals of the…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "RTHK News",
        "title": "NM campus a test bed for industry collaboration: HKU",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/nm-campus-a-test-bed-for-industry-collaboration-hku",
        "published": "2026-08-26T07:17:25.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}