(HKPFS Awardee)
Mapping Hong Kong's Spaces with a Mexican Architect
When Mexican architect and urban designer Ximena Ocampo Aguilar first arrived at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), she brought with her a unique vision: exploring and analysing the city from its most minuscule and everyday activities, a perspective she owes to feminism. Now, as a PhD student in CUHK's architecture programme, she's discovering how urban spaces can be transformed through unexpected encounters—and how those transformations can spark meaningful change.
A Serendipitous Path to CUHK Graduate Studies
Sometimes, the most important academic connections happen by chance. For Ximena, it was a fortuitous meeting with Professor Inge Goudsmit at a School of Architecture event while working on a research project in Hong Kong. “I met her at the event and we started talking and discussing my project,” Ximena recalls. “And she invited me to present my work at one of her classes.” That initial conversation blossomed into a mentorship that would shape her postgraduate journey at CUHK.
What drew her to commit to studying in Hong Kong? The programme's rich mix of international students in Hong Kong and cross-disciplinary opportunities played a crucial role. “It's good to be working with Inge and Professor Cecilia L. Chu, my two supervisors, but also with other professors,” she explains. “Because the School of Architecture is part of the Faculty of Social Science, people have very different backgrounds and very different perspectives.”
A New Perspective on Hong Kong
Life as an international student at CUHK campus has opened Ximena's eyes to Hong Kong's complex urban character. Through daily interactions with professors and fellow students, she has gained deep insights into the city's unique spatial dynamics. “I've learned a lot about professors' and students' unique perspectives on Hong Kong,” she reflects.
Her research has revealed fascinating contradictions in Hong Kong's urban landscape – between rigid formal planning and the informal appropriation of space by the city’s dwellers: “Hong Kong is in one sense, highly formal, developed, and efficient – but then at the same time, there is space for spontaneity and adaptability, where people find diverse ways to make the city their own," she explains.
Breaking Down Academic Boundaries
One of the highlights of CUHK student life for Ximena has been the opportunity for interdisciplinary and international collaboration. She particularly values her role as co-organiser and moderator of the PhD Symposium held in April this year. The event brought together students not only from the School of Architecture, but also from other universities across Hong Kong, as well as from the Philippines and Tibet.
Ximena describes the experience as a highly rewarding one, highlighting the independence and autonomy she and her colleagues were given in shaping the symposium. It demonstrated the University’s encouragement of student-led initiatives and meaningful academic exchange across borders and disciplines.
How HKPFS Opens Doors
For Ximena, the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) has been more than just financial support – it's been the gateway to her academic aspirations. “The HKPFS is one of the main reasons why I'm in Hong Kong,” she explains. “It has allowed me to concentrate 100% on my studies, which wouldn't be possible if I didn't get any grants or supports or if I were in a different institution.”
The fellowship's benefits extend beyond Hong Kong's borders, funding opportunities like a transformative workshop in Italy. “It was enriching because I could also see how other students in other parts of the world are doing their research.”
Finding Inspiration in Hong Kong
For an urban researcher, living in Hong Kong as a student offers unique perspectives. “I enjoy the density of the city. For me in particular and for my research, it's very important,” Ximena shares. But it's the surprising juxtaposition of urban density with natural landscapes that truly captivates her.
At the same time, she appreciates how the dense, packed city coexists with natural elements like beaches and mountains, all easily accessible. To fully experience this diversity, she and her partner embarked on an ambitious project: walking the entire 70-kilometer perimeter of Hong Kong Island. “This offered a unique perspective on how Hong Kong is not only dense, but also so diverse.”
Building Academic Foundations
Before embarking on her postgraduate studies at CUHK, Ximena ran dérive lab, her own architecture studio in Mexico. But she yearned for something more – a structured approach to research that could elevate her professional practice. “CUHK has a very rigorous way of research, so I’ve learned a lot about what's the path ahead,” she reflects.
What sets the CUHK research opportunities apart is their emphasis on critical thinking: “It's not only about the University showing me how it's done, but also its peers and professors are very encouraging in being critical about the field.”
Navigating Journeys at CUHK
For those considering CUHK graduate programmes, Ximena offers valuable insight from her experience. “I did have some support from my current supervisor and from another student who was already living in Hong Kong and who also received the HKPFS,” she admits.
The CUHK postgraduate application process might seem daunting, but there's a supportive community ready to help. “I would say don't hesitate to contact people who have gone already through the experience of applying and arriving,” she advises.
