Academic Bridge Program Signs MoUs with Leading Hong Kong Universities to Expand Global Pathways for Students
Doha, Qatar | Sunday, 18 January 2026
The Academic Bridge Program (ABP), a member of Qatar Foundation, has announced the signing of two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). The agreements mark a significant milestone in ABP’s international engagement and its ongoing commitment to expanding high-quality global higher-education pathways for students.
The MoUs were signed by Ms. Abeer Al-Khalifa, President of Pre-University Education, Education City in Qatar Foundation. Representing HKU, Professor Jay Siegel, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning), signed the agreement, accompanied by Mr. Hai Truong Vu, Programme Manager at the Admissions Office. HKUST was represented by Dr. Alison E. Lloyd, Associate Provost (Institutional Data and Research), with attendance from Mr. Eric Lo, Head of Impact; Ms. Betsy Lee, Head of Student Recruitment and Outreach; and Ms. Crystal Lui, Senior Student Recruitment Manager (International).
The ceremony was further honored by the presence of senior representatives from the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai, including Mr. Simon Chan, Director-General, and Mr. Leo Poon, Deputy Director, highlighting the strengthening educational and strategic ties between Hong Kong and the Gulf region.
Commenting on the occasion, Dr. Saheim K. Al-Temimi, Director of the Academic Bridge, emphasized that the agreements reinforce ABP’s mission to prepare students for successful entry into leading global universities while fostering cross-cultural academic collaboration and innovation. He noted that the partnerships with HKU and HKUST—among Asia’s most prestigious institutions—reflect ABP’s continued commitment to delivering high-quality, globally recognized preparatory education.
Dr. Alison Lloyd, Associate Provost (Institutional Data and Research) said, “we are delighted to embark on this collaboration with the Qatar Foundation’s Academic Bridge Program. At HKUST, diversity is at the heart of our mission, and we look forward to welcoming Qatari students into our vibrant community. Ranked 19th globally in university impact, HKUST places strong emphasis on innovation and research, pioneering advances particularly in AI, healthcare, and sustainability, which aligns with the Qatar Foundation’s vision. With many shared commitments, we are dedicated to advancing world-class education and transformative research that addresses society’s most pressing challenges. Through this collaboration, we aim to nurture a new generation of talented individuals who will make meaningful contributions to the society.
The MoU signifies a mutual commitment to facilitating opportunities for student mobility, collaborative academic programmes, and training initiatives. Professor Jay Siegel, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning) of HKU.
The collaboration is expected to create new academic opportunities for ABP students and further strengthen institutional links between Qatar Foundation’s pre-university ecosystem and Hong Kong’s world-class higher-education sector.
