The university offers the best of both worlds in Adelaide

Disu Dang

Australia has long been a top destination for international students, with its world-class education system, vibrant cities and stunning natural landscapes making an irresistible combination. The newly created University of Adelaide has joined the country’s most prestigious institutions.

Its arrival on the Hong Kong education scene was announced during a launch event held on September 23 in West Kowloon.

However, its pedigree is proven: it was formed from the merger of the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia.

With its academic infrastructure in place, the institution has started accepting applications for over 200 degrees and admitting students in 2026.

Considered one of Australia’s prestigious G8 research institutions, the University of Adelaide is committed to delivering a diverse curriculum to students around the world.

“This is a unique opportunity for us to bring together the very best faculty from two institutions, combine them into single programs and achieve the best possible results,” said co-vice-chancellor David Lloyd, who led the Hong Kong delegation along with his new colleague Peter Hodge. .

More than 200 university programs cover undergraduate and graduate disciplines in popular areas of study.

The initial selection of degrees covers areas such as aviation, healthcare, engineering, finance, business management, data science and information technology.

“The University of Adelaide brings together cutting-edge research, industry knowledge and cutting-edge learning technologies to provide our students with a transformative educational experience,” Lloyd said.

“This includes flexible, personalized pathways, project-based learning and the development of transferable skills.”

Lloyd and Hodge emphasized that the university’s approach aims to set new standards for graduate employability and success.

“Our curriculum reflects the diversity of the real-world workforce, and our graduates will be well prepared to become leaders and succeed in a rapidly evolving job market,” they said.

Building on the internationally recognized research of its founding institutions, the University of Adelaide will focus on areas of strategic global priorities including healthcare, artificial intelligence, financial technology and green energy.

Although international student numbers have fallen during the three-year Covid pandemic, Lloyd said the recovery from those lost years has been strong and resilient.

“We have seen a steady increase in the number of students in Hong Kong,” he said.

“And the landscape of Australian education is such that Hong Kong has always been one of the main markets for us where engagement has dominated, and we believe this is an area where we will see further engagement.”

The University of Adelaide’s diverse student body is expected to include international students from over 100 countries, as well as the largest number of Australian students in the country.

Because 85 to 86 percent of international students typically return to their home countries after completing their studies, Hodge said university programs are never designed to accommodate migration.

“Our goal is to help educate them, provide them with the best research resources and the best environment so that they can contribute to their country of origin,” he said.

Apart from the university’s extensive academic program and links with industry, the city of Adelaide itself is a major attraction for international students.

Consistently ranked as one of the most liveable cities in the world, Adelaide is Australia’s fastest growing city, with strong industrial links, a vibrant cosmopolitan lifestyle and a welcoming multicultural community.

“Students come here from all over the world, drawn by our vibrant cosmopolitan lifestyle, welcoming multicultural community and close proximity to beaches, wine regions and other beautiful scenery,” Lloyd and Hodge said.

The University of Adelaide is expected to attract a large and diverse student body, including international students from over 100 countries, as well as the largest group of Australian students in the country.

Its graduates will join an alumni network of more than 400,000 people from 150 countries.