Three Hong Kong universities dip in World Reputation Rankings, as HKU falls from top 50 and PolyU makes first-ever appearance

University of Hong Kong fell out of the top 50, while both Chinese University and the University of Science and Technology dropped into lower tiers

The Times Higher Education survey also saw Polytechnic University, site of a dramatic clash during last year’s protests, debut in the 126-150 bracket

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The University of Hong Kong slipped out of the top 50 in Times Higher Education’s World Reputation Rankings 2020. Photo: Nora Tam

Published: 3:50pm, 5 Nov 2020Updated: 10:58pm, 5 Nov 2020

Hong Kong’s top three universities have slid down an annual international ranking compiled by a Britain-based publication.

The survey, conducted between November 2019 and February 2020, coincided with last year’s anti-government protests, which saw violent clashes spill onto the campuses of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and Chinese University. The University of Science and Technology (HKUST) rounded out the list of city schools making return appearances on the Times Higher Education’s World Reputation Rankings.

The trio was joined on the list for the first time ever by Polytechnic University, whose own campus was the site of a high-profile battle between police and protesters. None of the four, however, cracked the top 50.

An armoured police vehicle is surrounded by flames during a clash at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in November 2019. Photo: Winson Wong

HKU, which ranked 44th in 2019, slipped to a tier of schools encompassing spots 51 to 60. Universities outside the rankings’ top 50 are placed into groups with no internal breakdown.

Chinese University dropped from the 91-100 group to a tier encompassing schools 101 to 125, while HKUST fell from its slot in the 81-90 bracket to the 91-100 group.

PolyU, whose campus hosted a violent clash between protesters and police last November, made its debut on the list, appearing in the 126-150 grouping.