Early development

In May 1989, the Hong Kong Government established the Open Learning Institute of Hong Kong. The OLI was the first distance-learning-based higher education institution in Hong Kong. The OLI adopted a flexible academic score system, allowing its students to accumulate their credits by stage until successfully earning the degree. In August 1992, the Hong Kong Government announced to accept graduates from the OLI to apply for its positions which required a university degree. In November 1992, the OLI offered 17-degree programmes which were approved by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic Qualifications. In November 1993, the OLI held its first congregation.

Upgrade to a university

In June 1995, the OLI passed the accreditation by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic Qualifications and received the recommendation of granting the self-accrediting status after June 1996. In October 1996, the Hong Kong Government granted the OLI with the self-accrediting status. It recognised the capacity of self-management and quality assurance of the Institution. In February 1997, the Hong Kong Executive Council approved in principle to the upgrade the OLI to a university. In May 1997, the motion for the third reading was agreed by the Legislative Council of Hong Kong. The OLI was upgraded to the Open University of Hong Kong and became the seventh statutory university in Hong Kong.^[8]

Continuous improvement

In October 1998, students of the OUHK were allowed to be included in the Non-means-tested Loan Scheme for Full-time Tertiary Students (NLSFT). In June 1999, the OUHK was conferred the Prize of Excellence for Institutions by the International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE) for 1999.^[9] In October 1999, the Hong Kong Government approved a one-off grant of HK$50 million to develop the University into a Centre of Excellence in Distance and Adult Learning^[10] and accepted the OUHK to apply for the grant of the Research Grants Council (RGC). In June 2000, the electronic library of the OUHK won the Stockholm Challenge Award in a global IT contest.

In October 2000, the Open University of Hong Kong Centre for Continuing and Community Education was officially renamed as the Li Ka Shing Institute of Professional and Continuing Education to acknowledge the donation of HK$40 million by the Li Ka Shing Foundation in supporting the establishment of the Island Learning Centre.^[11]

Launch of full-time programmes

In September 2001, the OUHK firstly launched the full-time associate degree programme. In March 2005, the University introduced the first full-time top-up degree programme. In May 2004, the OUHK partnered with the Vocational Training Council (VTC) to introduce top-up degree programmes.

In May 2005, the OUHK started to collaborate with local hospitals for nurse degree education. The University partnered with Cathay Pacific Airways to organise the Professional Diploma in Inflight Service programme. In October 2005, the University partnered with the Hong Kong Police Force for recruit police constables' foundation training.

In September 2006, the OUHK officially started to participate in the Hong Kong's centralised joint university admission system (JUPAS), becoming the first higher education institution offering self-financing degree programmes. In the meantime, the OUHK partner with the Hong Kong Baptist Hospital. In June 2007, the OUHK established Centre for Putonghua Education and Testing. In August 2007, the OUHK signed the Memorandum of Understanding with the Union Hospital, partnering to launch full-time Bachelor of Nursing with honours (General Health) programmes. In the meantime, the OUHK freely opened its teaching materials, providing Hong Kong residents with self-studying opportunities. In September 2007, the University Council unanimously approved to name the School of Business and Administration after Dr Lee Shau-kee to acknowledge his donation of HK$50 million in supporting the establishment of the University Development Fund. In December 2007, the OUHK was included in the Government's Matching Grant Scheme for the first time and raised a total of HK$160 million as a result.

In May 2008, the OUHK firstly partnered with the Clothing Industry Training Authority (CITA) on fashion business top-up degree^[12]

In June 2008, full-time nursing programmes were accredited by the Nursing Council.^[13]

Research centre

Under the co-ordination of the Research Grants Council (RGC) in 2014, the OUHK was granted a subsidy of HK$18 million in the application of research grants for local self-financing institutions to set up the Institute for Research in Innovative Technology & Sustainability, the Research Institute for Digital Culture and Humanities and the Centre of Chinese Culture.

Full-time programmes

Full-time programmes^[14] have been the recent main focus of the HKMU. Similar to the full-time programmes of other universities, the programmes are conducted by lectures and tutorials. Some even include laboratory courses and practicums. Face-to-face programmes mainly consists of full-time and part-time modes. Some full-time face-to-face programmes have been included in the Hong Kong's centralised joint university admission system (JUPAS).

Part-time programmes

Part-time programmes include distance learning programmes, the programmes have been the ongoing programmes of the HKMU since its establishment. The University provides students applied for distance learning programmes with self-study materials. Some programmes even include interactive CD-ROMs, videos and computer software. The University's tutors conduct regular tutorials on weekday evening or weekend. Distance learning programmes allow student to decide to attend tutorials. However, some tutorials require students to attend specific classes or laboratory courses. Besides, the University arranges tutors to provide students with guidance and assistance by phone, email or online at specific time. Tutors also provide feedback on all assignments to help guide students' learning.

Although most distance learning programmes are in open entry, with no entry requirements and time limits on finishing a qualification, students are required to complete specific assignments and to pass end-term exams during their study periods so as to attain the course credit. Besides, every distance learning programme, including diploma and degree programmes, is set with studying rules. Students are required to follow the rule to accumulate assigned course credits so as to apply for qualifications.

Academic and Research Units

The academic units of the University consists of:

• School of Arts and Social Sciences^[16]
• Lee Shau Kee School of Business and Administration^[17]
• School of Education and Languages^[18]
• School of Nursing and Health Studies^[19]
• School of Science and Technology^[20]
• School of Open Learning^[21]
• Li Ka Shing School of Professional and Continuing Education (LiPACE)^[22]

The University Office of Research Affairs is set up to serve as a centralised unit of the University overseeing research activities of the University, supporting research carried out by staff of the University and co-ordinating development projects with external funding. There are six main research institutes and they are:

• Institute for Research in Innovative Technology & Sustainability^[23]
• Institute for Research in Open and Innovative Education^[24]
• Research Institute for Bilingual Learning and Teaching (RIBiLT)^[25]
• Institute of International Business and Governance^[26]

Public and Social Policy Research Centre^[27]

• Research Institute for Digital Culture and Humanities^[28]
• OUHK Tin Ka Ping Centre of Chinese Culture^[29]

Ho Man Tin Campus

The Ho Man Tin Campus consists of the Main Campus on Good Shepherd Street and the Jockey Club Campus.

The Main Campus is located at 30 Good Shepherd Street,^[39] adjacent to SKH Tsoi Kung Po Secondary School, the Hong Kong Football Association Limited and the Auxiliary Medical Service Headquarters. It consists of Block A, B and C.

• Block A: The HKMU Campus Phase I High Block (Cheng Yu Tung Building), facing Fat Kwong Street
• Block B: The HKMU Campus Phase I Low Block, facing Good Shepherd Street
• Block C: The HKMU Campus Phase II (Kwok Tak Seng Building), facing Fat Kwong Street

The Main Campus is equipped with a library, lecture halls, tutorial rooms, self-study rooms, lobbies, a canteen, a café, a bank, an information centre, a mail room, pantries, a multi-function hall, changing rooms, language laboratories, multimedia laboratories, technology laboratories, environmental laboratories, clinical nursing laboratories, a sound recording studio, music rooms, band rooms, counselling rooms and a car park. Auxiliary facilities for people with disabilities are also available.

The Jockey Club Campus located at 81 Chung Hau Street, Ho Man Tin, adjacent to Dragon View and Hung Hom Division of the Hong Kong Police Force.^[40] The Jubilee College is of 12 floors and it consists of Block D and E. It takes a few minutes to walk from the Main Campus to the Jockey Club Campus.^[41]

• Block D: The HKMU Jubilee College (facing Princess Road and Chung Hau Street)
• Block E: The HKMU Jubilee College (facing Princess Road and Chung Hau Street)

Apart from the auditorium, classrooms, the library and PC laboratories, the College is equipped with learning commons, multi-function halls, cultural and creative studio, laboratories, testing and certification laboratories, microbiological laboratories and the clinical nursing centre.

HKMU Jockey Club Institute of Health Care (IOH) – Sheung Shing Street, Ho Man Tin

• Block F: Jockey Club Institute of Health Care (IOH) (opposite to the HKMU Main Campus)

The establishment of the new campus will enable the University to cater to the future manpower requirements for nursing and other healthcare services and will allow swift response to the new and unforeseen community needs that may arise as our society ages. Meanwhile, new programmes such as Bachelor of Social Sciences with Honours in Mental Health and Psychology and Bachelor of Science with Honours in Nutrition and Dietetics are under planning to meet the growing demands for a wide array of healthcare professionals. Some brand-new facilities, including the psychology laboratory and the Special Educational Needs (SEN) service/training centre, will be built in the new Complex. They will become future assessment or resource centres for the public who have needs for specialised healthcare services.^[38]

Kwai Hing Campus (KHC)

In August 2012, the HKMU purchased floors 8 – 12 of the Block 2 of the Kowloon Commerce Centre with $770 million. Each floor is about 25,000 sq. ft. The gross area is about 124,300 sq. ft.

The Kwai Hing Campus (KHC) is located at 8-11/F, Tower 2, Kowloon Commerce Centre, 51–53 Kwai Cheong Road, Kwai Chung, New Territories.^[42] The Kwai Hing Campus opened in September 2013 and the Li Ka Shing School of Professional and Continuing Education (LiPACE) also moved from the Island Learning Centre to the Kwai Hing Campus (KHC). After from classrooms, lecture theatre, PC laboratories, study rooms, student commons and a learning resources centre, the Campus is also equipped with Jockey Club STEAM Education Laboratory, Japanese Language & Cultural Studies Centre and mock up rooms, including cabin, smart hotel room, wards, Kindergarten room and CIS room.^[42]

CITA Learning Centre (OCC)

The HKMU-CITA Learning Centre (OCC) opened in 2010, locating at 0/F – 5/F, HKMU-CITA Learning Centre (CITA Building), 201–203 Lai King Hill Road, Kwai Chung, New Territories.^[43] The area of the Centre is around 3,530 square metres with 11 classrooms, 3 PC laboratories, a learning resource centre, studios, self-study rooms and student amenities.

HKMU Consultants (Shenzhen) Limited

The company is located in Shenzhen, Guangdong, mainland China. It is responsible for managing programmes of the OUHK held in China and handling the admission applications of mainland students.^[44]

Student activities

The HKMU always encourages its students to form societies and organise student activities. The University provides student organisations with assistance and help by Student Affairs Committee and Student Affairs Office. By planning and participating in various activities, students can improve their knowledge and enhance their organisational skills. Currently, there are near 50 student societies^[45] and various alumni associations accredited by the University and granted for subsidy. The associations provide students with various kinds of activities, including sports competitions, academic discussions, seminars, outdoor activities and rehearsal exercises.

Since the re-establishment of the Students' Union in 2008, the current Committee on Student Affairs transforms into the joint discussion platform of both the University representatives and the principle members of the Students' Union, helping to manage the constitute politics and financial affairs of student societies.

Students' Union

Every student who is registered on a credit-bearing course of study offered by HKMU during a session shall be entitled to exercise the rights and enjoy privileges of membership during such session. The Students’ Union aims to act as a channel of communication between the students and HKMU and other bodies, to promote a school spirit amongst the students, to promote the welfare of the students, to promote and develop social and educational opportunities for the students and to represent the students.^[46]

Executive committee

The Executive Committee is the highest executive authority of the Union and shall be accountable to the general polling, general meetings and the Union Council. It is responsible for the day-to-day affairs and administrative work of the Students’ Union.

The Executive Committee will consist of 6 to 18 committee members from a cabinet to be elected by the votes of all members. The committee members of the Executive Committee will consist of one President, one Internal Vice-President, one External Vice-President, one Financial Controller, one general secretary and not less than one and not more than thirteen additional members as may be elected as part of a cabinet of candidates. There must be 1/5 cabinet members whose study mode will be different from those other cabinet members.

The quorum of a meeting of the Executive Committee will be 1/2 or above of the committee members.

The President of the Executive Committee also serves as the ex-officio member of the Council and the Court. The Executive Committee can commission its members or student representatives to attend the following university meetings to express their views. The meetings include the Senate, the Catering Committee, the University Equal Opportunities Commission, the Committee on Student Affairs and the General Meeting of the Four Schools.

The office of the HKMU Students' Union's is located at Room C0314, 3/F, 30 Good Shepherd Street, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon, Hong Kong

List of the presidents of the HKMUSU:

• 1st session (2008–2009): WONG Tze^[47]
• 2nd session (2009–2010): WONG Kwun Lun^[48]
• 3rd session (2010–2011): LEUNG Hin Ming^[49]
• 4th session (2011–2012): LEUNG Lok Hang^[50]
• 5th session (2012–2013): Dickson CHAU Tsun Yin^[51]
• 6th session (2013–2014): Delison CHAN Pui Hei^[52]
• 7th session (2014–2015): Ian YIP Yee Yin^[53]
• 8th session (2015–2016): MAN Chun Kit^[54]
• 9th session (2016–2017): Gilbert CHAN Tsz Wai^[54]
• 10th session (2017–2018): Max YEUNG Hau Yin
• 11th session (2018–2019): Vacant
• 12th session (2019–2020): Vacant
• 13th session (2020–2021): Elvin LAU Yu Kit

The Elected President of the HKMUSU

• 14th session (2021–2022): WONG Wing Sum

Editorial Board

The Editorial Board is responsible for publishing the publications of the Students’ Union and shall be accountable to a general polling, general meetings and the Union Council. The duties of the Editorial Board include reflecting the views of students, reporting the policies of the University, reporting the activities in the University, being concerned with social topics and playing the role of monitoring as media.

The Editorial Board will consist of 7 to 15 committee members from a cabinet to be elected by all members and responsible for organising the Editorial Board. The committee members of the Editorial Board will consist of one Editor-in-chief, two Assistant Editors-in-chief, one Financial Controller, one general secretary, one Executive Editor and not more than nine additional members as may be elected as part of a cabinet of candidates.

The quorum of a meeting of the Editorial Board will be 1/2 or above of the committee members.

The Editorial Board used to be the standing subcommittee of the Executive committee of the Students' Union. The title of its publication is Open Voice. It is introduced by Wong Kwun-lun, the President of the 2nd Students' Union with the mission of "being open" and "injustice provoking outcry", addressing the University and student affairs. Leung Hin-ming took up his role as the 2nd Editor-in-chief of the Editorial Board, introducing more life elements in the publication and developing "Freshman Special Edition". The amount and quality of the later publications varied. The operational transparency and exposure were relatively low. In Year 2015 to 2016, the Editorial Board granted the statutory authority of independence. However, the designate cabinet came to dismissal at that time. The by-elected cabinet failed to succeed due to the inadequate polling rate. The first officially independent Editorial Board was elected in Year 2016 to 2017. Yau Wing-sze, the former Member of the 8th Editorial Board, took up the post of Editor-in-chief. The publication frequency changed from once a year to three times a year. The newly formed Editorial Board followed the existing idea and continued to publish "Freshman Special Edition". It also joined the Joint-University Editorial Board and established the office of the Editorial Board of HKMUSU. The office is located at E0716, Jubilee College, Chung Hau Street, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon.

Open Voice is the only student-driven, university-recognised-and-granted and editorial-independent publication of the HKMU.

List of Editor-in-chiefs:

• 1st session (2008–2009): WONG Kwun Lun
• 2nd session (2009–2010): LEUNG Hin Ming
• 3rd session (2010–2011): YU Yui Ching
• 4th session (2011–2012): LEE Wai Nan
• 5th session (2012–2013): LAU Tsz Kwan
• 6th session (2013–2014): LAM Lap Kwan
• 7th session (2014–2015): MANG Mong Wan

List of Editor-in-chiefs:(After independent)

• 1st session (2015–2016): Vacant
• 2nd session (2016–2017): YAU Wing Sze
• 3rd session (2017–2018): WONG Kai Yu
• 4th session (2018–2019): Vacant
• 5th session (2019–2020): Vacant

The Current Editor-in-chief:

• 6th session (2020–2021): WONG Ngo Tung

The Elected Editor-in-chief:

• 7th session (2021–2022): Vacant

The Union Council

The Union Council is the legislative, supervising and judicial authority of the Union with its power only second to a general polling and a general meeting. Its duties include:

• Examine, investigate and pass the year plans, budget plans, financial and working report of the Students’ Union;
• Supervise the working condition of the Executive Committee and Editorial Board;
• Interpret and amend the Constitution;
• Hold the elections of Students’ Union;
• Hold the elections of the Representatives of the Union Council;
• Hold general polling and general meeting;
• Handle the resignations of the Councillors of the Union Council, Popularly Elected Councillors, committee members of the Executive Committee and committee members of the Editorial Board;
• Enforce punishment; and
• Set up Subcommittees under the Union Council

The Union Council will consist of one representative from each affiliated body, seven Popularly Elected Councillors (If there are less than seven Popularly Elected Councillors, their seats shall be deemed to be vacancies), three Ex-officio Councillors (the Chairperson of the Union Council of the previous session, the President of the Executive Committee and the Editor-in-chief of the Editorial Board)

• If the Chairperson of the Union Council of the previous session becomes a committee member of the Executive Committee of the current session or a committee member of the current session of the Editorial Board, his/her office should be filled by the Chairperson of the session before the previous session.
• If the President of the Executive Committee of the previous session becomes a committee member of the Executive Committee of the current session or a committee member of the current session of the Editorial Board, his/her office should be filled by the President of the session before the previous session.
• If the Editor-in-chief of the Editorial Board of the previous session becomes a committee member of the Executive Committee of the current session or the committee member of the current session of the Editorial Board, his/her office should be filled by the Editor-in-chief of the session before the previous session.

The Representatives of the Union Council will consist of one Chairperson, one Vice Chairperson, one Secretary, one Vice Secretary. The representatives of the Union Council will be elected by and among the Councillors. The Union Council will have the following standing subcommittees to assist in the carrying out of its work:

• The Constitution Review Committee: consisting of 1 Chairperson and at least 3 other committee members to handle the matters on amending the Constitution.
• The Election Board: consisting of 1 Chairperson and at least 3 other committee members to co-ordinate all the election matters of the Students’ Union.

The Union Council may set up different subcommittees according to circumstances. The chairperson of all the subcommittees must be Councillors and other committee members shall be members of the Union. The setting up of all committees shall have to be passed by the Union Council.

General meetings shall be called once a month. Notice of a meeting shall be given to Councillors and announce to members of the Union 1 week before calling the meeting together with the agenda thereof. Upon the joint requisition signed by 1/3 or above of the Councillors, or if the Chairperson thinks that it is necessary, an emergency meeting may be called. Notice of a meeting shall be given to Councilors and announce to members of the Union 48 hours before calling the meeting together with the agenda thereof.

The quorum of a meeting of the Union Council will be 1/2 or above of the Councillors.

The Chairperson of the Union Council also serves as the ex-officio member of the Court. The Union Council should also appoint a Councillor (popularly elected is preferred) as the representative to attend the Committee on Student Affairs.

List of Chairpersons of the Union Council:

• 1st session (2008–2009): CHAN Hing Wai
• 2nd session (2009–2010): LAW Tsz Chun (left the post in January 2010)/ LEUNG Tsz Yan (assumed office in February 2010)
• 3rd session (2010–2011): YAU Chun Yip
• 4th session (2011–2012): TSANG Hin Man
• 5th session (2012–2013): LAU Chun Kit
• 6th session (2013–2014): Ian YIP Yee Yin (left the post in January 2014)/ WONG Ho Yi (assumed office in February 2014)
• 7th session (2014–2015): HO Ki Hang
• 8th session (2015–2016): CHENG Chung Kit
• 9th session (2016–2017): TANG Sin Hang
• 10th session (2017–2018): Martin, HO Tsuen Ye
• 11th session (2018–2019): Faye WONG Kai Laam
• 12th session (2019–2020): Faye WONG Kai Laam (left the post in Angust 2019)/ Michael Kwok Tsz Tat (assumed office in September 2019)

The Current Chairperson of the Union Council:

• 13th session (2020–2021): Paul YEUNG Chun Hei

General Meetings

A general meeting is an authority second to a general polling only. The Union Council should hold an annual general meeting in the first month (starting from April)of each session and the general meeting must be called within 7 to 21 days from a resolution made by the Union Council. At the general meeting, the Union of the previous session shall present its working report and financial report; the Union Council of the current session shall present its budget plan and the Executive Committee and the Editorial Board shall present their year plans and budget plans. Not less than 7 days notice of a general meeting shall be given, and notice shall be given by posting the same on the Union notice board in the campus of OUHK and sending the same by electronic means to members. The quorum of a general meeting will be not less than 100 members personally present. Where the quorum is not reached half an hour before the time appointed for conducting the meeting, the Chairperson shall declare the meeting flopped and may call another meeting again within 14 days. If the adjourned meeting still flops, the motion shall be withdrawn.

Upon a resolution of the Union Council being carried or upon the written requisition of not less than 100 Members, the Union Council shall, as regards the purpose indicated in the relevant resolution or the relevant requisition, call an emergency general meeting, which meeting must be conducted within 7 to 21 days from the day of the resolution or the requisition.

General Polling

A general polling is a means of the members of the Union to resolve issues by way of polling. A general polling is the highest authority of the Union. Upon the resolution of the Union Council being carried or upon the written requisition of not less than 500 members, the Union Council shall conduct a general polling as regards the purpose indicated in the relevant resolution or the relevant requisition, which general polling must be conducted within 7 to 21 days from the day of the resolution or the requisition. The valid votes cast is no less than 1/15 of the total members of the Union. The result of General Polling shall not be valid and the motion shall be deemed to have withdrawn if the number of votes cast is less than 1/15 of the total membership of the Union. A motion of a general polling shall only be carried by 1/2 or above affirmative vote of all the total votes for the motion.

Affiliated Societies

An Affiliated Body means an organisation of members undertaking extra-curricular activities within the context of OUHK, the constitution of which provides that its membership is open to OUHK students and for its office bearers to be annually elected by its members. As of March 2021, there are 34 student societies for both distance learning and full-time programme students to join.^[55]

Programme-related societies (School of Arts and Social Sciences):

• Animation and Visual Effects Society
• Chinese Society
• Cinematic Design and Photographic Digital Art Society
• Creative Advertising and Media Design Society
• Creative Writing and Film Arts Society
• Psychology Society

Programme-related societies (Lee Shau Kee School of Business and Administration):

• Student Association of Business and Administration
• Accounting Society
• Business Management Society
• Hospitality and Tourism Management Society
• Sports and Recreation Management Society

Programme-related societies (School of Education and Languages):

• Applied Chinese Languages Studies Society
• English Studies Society

Programme-related societies (School of Nursing and Health Studies):

• Nursing Society

Programme-related societies (School of Science and Technology):

• Applied Science and Environmental Studies Society
• Computing Society
• Engineering Society
• Statistics Analysis and Data Science Society
• Testing and Certification Society

Cultural Association:

• Dancing Society
• Drama Society
• Japanese Culture Society
• Music Society

Independent Club Association:

• Chinese Students and Scholars Association
• Christian Fellowship
• Enactus
• Film Society
• Rotaract Club
• Social Service Society

Sports Association:

• Badminton Society
• Dragon Boat Society
• Rugby Society
• Tchoukball Society

List of number of graduates

List of Honorary Graduates

List of Honorary Graduates goes as follow:^[60]

(As of 11 November 2020)

List of Honorary University Fellows

List of Honorary University Fellows goes as follow:^[60]