The University is committed to equal opportunities by advocating fair access in academic pursuits and employment. Any form of discrimination, including based on ethnicity, disabilities, religion, sexuality, gender, age or immigration status, or harassment will not be tolerated. All necessary steps are taken to eliminate and prevent the occurrence of discrimination on campus. The Committee Against Discrimination and Sexual Harassment is responsible for reviewing the Policy Against Sexual Harassment and procedures for handling discrimination complaints.

The Diversity and Inclusion Policy and the Policy on Equal Opportunities emphasize the rights of all members to equal access and opportunities in employment and academic pursuits, while the Admission’s Policy clearly states that admissions at the University are based on merit, using consistent selection criteria and are directed towards the selection of students who have the academic competence and motivation to benefit from the programmes which they intend to follow, irrespective of their origins, age and circumstances.  Scholarships and financial aid schemes have been provided to ensure the students from low socioeconomic backgrounds could participate in higher education.

The University is committed to providing accessible higher education opportunities for all individuals who aspire to pursue it. To fulfill this commitment, we have developed a diverse array of community engagement initiatives that specifically target secondary school students from non-traditional and low socio-economic backgrounds. Our aim is to inspire and empower these students, fostering a mindset that views higher education as both attainable and conducive to their personal growth and success. Through these initiatives, we strive to create an environment where every individual can flourish and thrive academically.

The University tracks applications and admissions of underrepresented groups.  For example, the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid will contact students who declare a disability in their applications to provide them with the necessary assistance during the application process and when they are admitted.  Various scholarship and financial assistance schemes are designated for students with disabilities.  The Office of Student Affairs also conducts an annual survey for first year students to understand their background, such as ethnicity, monthly household income, source of financial support, and religion.

The University has introduced various programmes to support students and staff from underrepresented groups. The Wellness and Counselling Centre and the Employee Assistance Programme have been set up to help students and staff overcome psychological barriers and difficulties. The Special Educational Needs Service Coordinating Committee coordinates the provision of all forms of support to persons with disabilities. These included accessible and barrier-free facilities (in entrances, toilets, parking spaces, classrooms and libraries), transport services, accessible websites and special learning and examination arrangements. To advocate for an inclusive and diverse environment, the Procedural Guidelines on Handling Requests for Use of Facilities has been established to equip Facilities Managers to make informed, fair, and transparent decisions regarding the use of campus facilities, ensuring accessibility, inclusivity, and respect for diversity within the CUHK community.

The Office of Student Affairs coordinates with different CUHK units to provide various support services for students with special education needs (e.g. disabilities and mental illness), including hostel accommodation arrangements and a series of Career Workshops and mentorship programmes which equip SEN students with skills such as career planning, CV writing and interviewing. In addition, the trained full-time students of the service team of ‘uShine’ Programme provides support to SEN students in their studies and university life to promote mutual support and growth among students.