Welcome from the Chair

At a time when our world is facing complex social, economic, environmental, and cultural challenges, universities have an important role to play in creating positive change. Beyond education and research, we have a shared responsibility to contribute to a more just, inclusive, peaceful, and sustainable future.

It was with this shared conviction that USRN was established in 2015 by 12 founding member institutions. Today, the Network has grown into a vibrant global alliance of 24 universities spanning major regions of the globe, connected by a common purpose: to advance university social responsibility through collaboration, innovation, and collective action.

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is deeply honoured to have helped initiate USRN and to host its Secretariat. While PolyU has been privileged to play this convening role, the strength of USRN lies in the commitment, diversity, and partnership of all our member institutions. It is through this spirit of mutual learning and shared leadership that the Network continues to grow and make meaningful impact.

USRN is more than a network — it is a community of universities working together to exchange ideas, build capacity, engage students, support impactful research, and contribute to global conversations on the responsibilities of higher education in our time. I believe that by joining our knowledge, experience, and aspirations, we can expand universities’ role as catalysts for positive change in our community and beyond.

As Chair of the USRN Executive Committee, I look forward to working with our member institutions and partners to further strengthen this collective endeavour. Together, we can continue to inspire one another, deepen our collaboration, and advance university social responsibility for the betterment of our society.