Bridging Borders: HKU-UChicago Global Studies Fellows Conclude a Transformative Summer
The closing ceremony of the 2025 HKU-UChicago L.C.K. Yung Global Studies Summer Fellowship in Hong Kong was held on July 28, 2025. The event brought together 13 students from the University of Chicago and 7 from the HKU Faculty of Social Sciences, who presented their research findings and celebrated the conclusion of an intellectually stimulating summer. The morning programme featured student presentations, followed by a lunch that fostered further exchange and reflection among participants and faculty members.
This inter-institutional and interdisciplinary research programme is a collaboration between the Hong Kong Jockey Club University of Chicago Academic Complex | The University of Chicago Francis and Rose Yuen Campus in Hong Kong, and HKU. Launched in 2024, this year marks the programme’s second edition. Participants work directly on faculty-led projects exploring topics such as politics, language, global finance, migration, health and well-being, and technology. The Fellowship also offers comprehensive research support, including mentoring and methodological training.
Throughout this summer, students collaborated on 13 faculty-led research projects, meeting weekly to discuss progress and exchange ideas. This closing ceremony certainly marked a fitting conclusion to a season defined by academic collaboration, cross-cultural exchange, and personal growth.
“As the L.C.K. Yung Summer Fellowship program draws to a close, I still feel incredibly fortunate to have taken part in this academic journey. The experience offered us the rare opportunity to engage directly with world-class scholars and to take ownership of our research. Every discussion was intellectually invigorating, a true celebration of pure academic curiosity and the exchange of ideas…. I am deeply grateful to The University of Hong Kong and the University of Chicago for providing such a valuable platform: one that served not only as a proving ground for academic growth but also as a space where ideas could flourish freely.” – Mona Yan, Year 3 BJ Student (2024-25), HKU
“This programme truly is a delight to be in! Connecting with peers from the other side of the world through cultural sharing and relatable academic experiences, meeting speakers from different fields to hear about their past journeys— I can’t think of any other that has all these incredible opportunities in one package!…” – Caitlyn Zheng, Year 3 BSocSc Student (2024-25), HKU
The Fellowship provides an invaluable opportunity for undergraduate students to immerse themselves in research and build networks with peers internationally. The Faculty remains committed to expanding such international collaborations to enrich our students’ academic and personal development during their time at HKU.