Does modernization—economic growth, technological advancement, globalization, increased education, and urbanization—reduce cultural differences? Conventional wisdom suggests that as nations get richer and more educated, a globalized, modern culture emerges featuring low birth rates, high divorce rates, and an overall focus on the individual. Thomas Talhelm tests this hypothesis using the World Values Survey, which has collected data in a broad range of countries since 1981. Notably, variation in values between countries in the World Values Survey has grown from 1981–2017. According to Talhelm, modernization, rather than an external force that pushes all cultures toward the same outcome, might be better understood as an influx of resources that allows people to more fully express their cultural values and beliefs, akin to water poured on a seed.

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) announces the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the El-Yurt Umidi Foundation for the Training of Prospective Personnel from Uzbekistan (El-Yurt Umidi Foundation) on March 9, 2026, at the HKU campus. This significant agreement aims to strengthen educational ties and create collaborative opportunities for talented students from Uzbekistan.

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) concluded its HKU@Shanghai event series from 28 February to 1 March 2026, celebrating the University’s 115th anniversary and the grand opening of its strategic Shanghai bases. Mr C Y Leung, Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, alongside dignitaries from Shanghai Municipality, Dr Peter Wong, Chairman of the HKU Council, and Professor Xiang Zhang, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKU, gathered with the University’s newest distinguished members – including Nobel Laureates and a Fields Medalist, and the broader HKU community – to celebrate the grand occasion, marking HKU’s new chapter—one defined by innovation breakthroughs, global collaboration, and academic excellence.

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) welcomes Professor Sir Andre Geim, Nobel Prize-winning physicist and pioneering scientist behind the revolutionary creation of graphene, to join the University as Chair Professor under the Faculty of Science, commencing early April, 2026. This appointment further solidifies HKU’s leadership in global scientific innovation and cements Hong Kong’s role as a hub for transformative research and discovery.

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) hosted HKU Partner Day 2026 on 22–23 February, a dynamic two-day event serving as a prelude to the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) 2026 Conference. The event brought together over 400 higher education leaders, institutional partners, and scholars from around the world to strengthen global collaboration and explore emerging trends shaping the future of education.