City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), rated the most international university in the world, is actively fostering strategic partnerships with mainland and global universities to enhance collaboration in various areas, such as exchanges of research staff and students, innovation, and knowledge transfer.

Professor Freddy Boey, CityUHK President and Mr Tan Tieniu, member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Party Secretary of Nanjing University, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 26 January, marking a new milestone in academic cooperation between the two universities. The MoU aims to jointly promote the development of higher education, and innovation and technology in Hong Kong and Jiangsu, and enhance collaboration between the two universities in various areas, including talent cultivation, academic exchanges, and collaborative research projects.

President Boey extended his thanks to Mr Tan for visiting CityUHK with his colleagues. The two parties also engaged in fruitful discussions on cooperation in various fields, such as academic exchanges, innovation, and entrepreneurship projects.

The members of the Nanjing University delegation included Professor Zhu Jia, Dean of the School of Sustainable Energy and Resources, Mr Chen Luhong, Deputy Director of the Office of Science and Technology, Mr Fang Jia, Deputy Director of the Office of Alumni Affairs and Development, and Ms Shen Yan, Division Chief of the Office of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau Affairs.

The delegation met with President Boey, Professor Lu Chun, Vice-President (Mainland Strategy), Professor Cheng Shuk Han, Associate Vice-President (Research), and Professor Julie Li Juan, Associate Vice-President (Mainland Strategy). Also attending the meeting was Mr Chen Yulin, Director of the Department of Innovation, Technology and Higher Education in the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR.

In addition, a delegation led by Professor Lin Shangli, President and Vice Chairman of the University Council of Renmin University of China, visited CityUHK on 24 January. They were warmly received by President Boey, Professor Li and senior management, including Professor Kalok Chan, Dean of the College of Business, Professor Alfred Ho Tat-kei, Dean of College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, Professor Alexander Loke, Associate Dean of the School of Law, and Ms Ng Pheck-choo, Director (Office of the President).

During the meeting, the two universities explored the possibility of deepening their collaboration through academic exchanges, personnel visits and nurturing talent, and had a fruitful discussion about a proposal to jointly establish the Hong Kong Development Research Centre. The aim of the centre, proposed by the Institute of Advanced Social Sciences (Shenzhen) of Renmin University of China and CityUHK, would be to carry out in-depth reviews of Hong Kong’s current development and future opportunities to provide recommendations and advice on supporting Hong Kong’s deeper integration into the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Meanwhile, the two universities will strengthen their collaboration on research and nurturing talent, including joint PhD programmes under the Renmin Business School and the College of Business at CityUHK.

The delegation from Renmin University included Ms Ding Liting, Director of the Department of Enrolment and Careers, Professor Zhang Xiaomeng, Director of the Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs Office and Dean of the School of Global Governance, Ms Zhou Rong, Director of the Office of Alumni Affairs, Professor Lv Jie, Executive Dean of the Institute of Advanced Social Sciences (Shenzhen), Ms Bi Mingyang, Vice-Dean of the Institute of Advanced Social Sciences (Shenzhen), Mr Geng Xiji, Deputy Secretary-General of the Alumni Association, and Mr Xu Ke, member of the President’s Office.