On 28 June 2026, Undergrad (學苑), the historic student publication of the University of Hong Kong (HKU), announced it would cease operations after 74 years. The official editorial board stated it was unable to form a new leadership team for the 2026 term despite multiple recruitment drives, forcing the publication to close. In a farewell statement, the board declared that the publication’s “historical role in society has come to an end.”
Founded in 1952, Undergrad had been a key student organisation that pushed the boundaries of intellectual thought. It tested critical ideas and highly sensitive political ideas, most notably in 2014 when it published an influential book and articles exploring the concepts of Hong Kong nationalism and self-determination. This intellectual defiance later drew direct, severe condemnation from the city’s Chief Executive.
The publication’s closure reflects the wider systemic collapse of student organisations in Hong Kong. The general atmosphere, including a pervasive chilling effect, has left students unwilling to take up leadership roles in campus journalism and civic bodies.