CityU HK Opens First Student Dormitory with 430 Beds for Non-Local Undergraduates
SingTao · 3 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
City University of Hong Kong (CityU HK) has inaugurated MU88, its first-ever purpose-built student dormitory, following the conversion of a hotel property in Hung Hom. The residence, located at 84–102 Wuhu Street, comprises two towers offering approximately 430 beds for non-local full-time undergraduate students. Over 80 percent of the beds have already been taken up, with the remainder reserved for exchange students and visiting scholars. The project was made possible through the Development Bureau and Education Bureau's Urban Student Housing Scheme, which exempts certain hotel back-of-house facilities and parking spaces from gross floor area calculations .
Key Points
- MU88 consists of two towers spanning 16 and 14 storeys respectively, with a combined floor area of approximately 6,200 square metres .
- Beds are available in single, twin, and triple configurations, with monthly rents ranging from HK$7,000 to HK$12,000 depending on room type .
- The two-semester accommodation fee ranges from HK$67,000 to HK$126,000, which Vice-Chancellor Lam Kwan-sing describes as reasonable .
- A non-resident membership scheme called the "Day-Student House" plan offers 50 spots at HK$500 per year, allowing full-time students not residing on campus to participate in hall activities and use facilities .
- University Council Chairman Thomas Ng Tin-yau said the dormitory addresses a longstanding deficiency and will enhance the institution's international outlook .
Why It Matters
The MU88 dormitory represents a significant step in Hong Kong's strategy to position itself as a regional higher education hub by addressing the accommodation gap that has historically hindered universities' ability to attract international students. The Urban Student Housing Scheme, which enabled this project, signals a broader policy shift toward leveraging private commercial properties to meet rising demand for student housing near university campuses .
The MU88 dormitory represents a significant step in Hong Kong's strategy to position itself as a regional higher education hub by addressing the accommodation gap that has historically hindered universities' ability to attract international students. The Urban Student Housing Scheme, which enabled this project, signals a broader policy shift toward leveraging private commercial properties to meet rising demand for student housing near university campuses .