Nord Anglia Education
WRITTEN BY
Nord Anglia
13 October, 2026

From Robotics to Global Opportunities - The University of Hong Kong Visits

We were delighted to welcome representatives from the University of Hong Kong (HKU) for an engaging visit that brought together cutting-edge engineering research and global higher education opportunities.

Professor Jingao Xu from HKU's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering began by introducing our Year 11 students to his innovative research in drones and robotics, including real-world applications such as Meituan's delivery drones operating in Shenzhen. Through fascinating videos demonstrating how robots "think", Professor Xu drew a thought-provoking comparison between the evolution of the human cerebellum and cerebrum and the development of robotic intelligence. His presentation highlighted how modern engineering increasingly extends beyond mathematics and physics to incorporate psychology, neuroscience and even philosophy.

Professor Xu's presentation was followed by an information session led by Mr Isaac Wong, who explained how HKU combines its strong Hong Kong foundations with joint programmes and exchange opportunities at leading universities worldwide. He also highlighted HKU's impressive graduate employment outcomes and its commitment to keeping education relevant through AI integration and practical placements.

The visit featured an unexpected bonus: Penelope De Gobbi (Class of 2026), now a first-year Biomedical Engineering student at HKU, happened to be visiting BISS during her reading week! Penelope shared her experience of HKU's academically demanding but highly rewarding environment and reflected on how her time at BISS had prepared her for university life. It was a wonderful reminder of the global opportunities available to our students, and an equally welcome opportunity to reconnect with one of our recent graduates.