CUHK Attends 2021 Forum on Building World Class Universities and Annual Meeting of the Association of University Presidents of China
The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) joined the 2021 Forum on Building World Class Universities and the Meeting of the Association of University Presidents of China (AUPC) from 15 to 16 October 2021. Participants attended the events including 12 Presidents/Vice Presidents of AUPC member institutions and officials and representatives of Ministry of Education. CUHK representatives comprised of Professor Rocky S. Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President; Prof. Chan Wai Yee, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Strategic Development); and Ms. Wing Wong, Director of China Engagement.
Professor Tuan, gave a speech on the topic “The Role of First-Class Universities in Strengthening National Science and Technology Forces”, sharing CUHK’s efforts to promote interdisciplinary research exchanges, enhance the effectiveness of the innovation system, and promote the transformation of scientific research outcomes to an influential application. He also mentioned the role of CUHK in the development of Hong Kong as an international science and technology innovation center.
As the President of AUPC, Professor Tuan convened and chaired the annual round table meeting of AUPC. Discussions were held on items including the revision of AUPC Charter, next annual meeting and forum in 2022 and development plans. Participating senior members also exchanged opinions on the future endeavors of AUPC and their concerted efforts in creating positive impacts to the future development of higher education.
AUPC was founded in 1997, comprising 12 members including Peking University, Tsinghua University, Harbin Institute of Technology, Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Nanjing University, Zhejiang University, University of Science and Technology of China, Xi’an Jiaotong University, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and The University of Hong Kong. The Association aims to dedicate its expertise and coordinate resources to the development of higher education in China. Apart from annual meetings and Presidents Forums among member universities, it also forged and encouraged research collaboration, scholar and student exchange, and joint supervision of postgraduate students among member institutions.
CUHK Vice-Chancellor Attends the Presidents' Forum of University Alliance of The Silk Road
Professor Rocky Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), attended the 2021 Presidents’ Forum of University Alliance of The Silk Road (UASR) on 19 November on behalf of the University. Co- organized by the Politecnico di Milano and Xi’an Jiaotong University (XJTU), the Forum themed “University’s Responsibility and Mission in Society”, attracted over 100 university leaders and distinguished guests from 19 alliance members of 13 Belt-and-Road countries and regions.
Prof. Tuan delivered a talk entitled “Global Higher Education Towards SDGs” during the event, sharing thoughts on the sustainable development goals and the responsibilities of universities. New measures to promote student exchanges in the post-pandemic era were discussed and participating guests exchanged ideas and gave suggestions for the development of UASR.
Established in May 2015 by XJTU, UASR now comprises of nearly 151 member universities from 38 countries and regions. It aims at promoting the spirit of the Silk Road by building a cooperative education platform for advanced regional development, fostering collaboration among members in areas of academic and scientific exchange, as well as cultural communications. CUHK joined the Alliance in 2016.
CUHK Joins China Hospital Research Integrity Alliance
China Hospital Research Integrity Alliance organized an inauguration ceremony on 21 November 2021 online and onsite. Professor Fung Hong, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of The Chinese University of Hong Kong Medical Centre (CUHKMC), attended the ceremony on behalf of the University to become one of the alliance members. The alliance aimed to promote the medical scientific research integrity in hospitals in China, integrating resources to maximize the function of the industry and to build consensus on a larger scale.
The alliance is led by Xiangya Hospital of Central South University (XHCSU), with founding members including West China Hospital of Sichuan University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Union Hospital Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology, First Hospital of Jilin University, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, and Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital of Shanhai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. It consists of 36 member hospitals from 19 provinces.
CUHK Participates in Mainland-Hong Kong-Macau Law Education Alliance Board Meeting cum Talent Nurturing Seminar
Mainland-Hong Kong-Macau Law Education Alliance had its 3rd Board Meeting cum National Foreign-related Lawyer Training Seminar held on 4 December online. Professor Wolff Lutz-Christian, Vice Chairman of the Alliance, Dean of Faculty of Law; and Professor Xi Chao, Associate Dean (Research) of Faculty of Law; joined the activities on behalf of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK).
The board meeting was hosted by China University of Political Science and Law (CUPL). Board members reviewed the achievements in 2021 and devised upcoming work plans. At the subsequent seminar, participants exchanged views on topics relating to cultivation of national foreign-related lawyers and how the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao can jointly promote the training of foreign-related lawyers. Professor Wolff gave a speech on legal technology in nurturing foreign-related lawyers during the seminar.
The Mainland-Hong Kong-Macau Law Education Alliance was established in 2017 and CUHK has been the Vice-Chairman Institution of the Alliance since then. Enriched by the intellectual and cultural heritage of the University and connected to a wide variety of collaborations, the Faculty of Law of CUHK continues to bring together common law and Chinese law with other great legal traditions to promote justice and safeguard the rule of law. The Alliance provides a cross-border platform for the profession of law education and signifies the new stage of law education collaboration among the three regions. Alliance members included Tsinghua University, Peking University, Wuhan University, Renmin University of China, Fudan University, Sun Yat-sen University, China University of Political Science and Law, The University of Hong Kong and Macau University.
CUHK Takes Part in the Greater Bay Science Forum of ANSO
The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) took part in the Greater Bay Science Forum (GSF) with theme of “Exploring the Future, Sharing Scientific Achievement” organized by Alliance of International Science Organizations in the Belt and Road Region (ANSO) during 11 – 12 December. CUHK representatives joining the event included Professor Rocky S. Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President; Professor Chen Yongqin, Professor of Department of Geography and Resource Management; Professor Kwan Mei Po, Director of Institute of Space and Earth Information Science and Professor of Department of Geography and Resource Management; and Professor Lam Hon Ming, Choh-Ming Li Professor of Life Sciences. CUHK attended the main forum and co-organized the sustainable development sub-forum.
The theme of the sustainable development sub-forum of GSF was “Rebuilding Our Common Future: Safe, Sustainable and Resilient Planet for All”. As one of the organizing parties, Professor Tuan gave an opening remarks at the sub-forum ceremony on behalf of CUHK. Participating CUHK professors gave their sharing on various sessions of the sub-forum. Professor Lam Hong Ming gave a talk on “Soybean cultivation for green and sustainable agriculture” at the session of “Green agriculture and sustainable food supply”; Professor Chen Yongqin’s talk was entitled “Water challenges in the face of climate change and extreme weather” at the “Global Water Security and Disaster Prevention and Mitigation” session; Professor Kwan Mei Po shared views on “Integrating Geospatial Technologies, Environmental Science, and Health Research” at the session “Post-pandemic era and human development”. Initiated by the Chinese Academy of Science (CAS), ANSO is an international, non-profit and non-governmental scientific organization for identifying and addressing common issues in the Belt and Road Region to tackle world scientific challenges. Founding members include scientific and research organizations from Russia, Pakistan, Poland, Hungary, Nepal, Kenya, Netherlands, New Zealand and Brazil. CUHK is the only institution from Hong Kong in the Alliance.
CUHK Attends Jiangsu-Hong Kong-Macao University Alliance Inauguration Ceremony cum Higher Education Summit
The Jiangsu-Hong Kong-Macao University Alliance (JHMUA) Inauguration Ceremony cum Higher Education Summit was held on 16 December in Nanjing and Hong Kong via online connection. With the aim of leveraging the advantages of institutions in Jiangsu Province, Hong Kong and Macau to strengthen exchange and collaboration in areas such as talent cultivation and research in innovation and technology, the Alliance was initiated by Nanjing University, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the University of Macau. JHMUA now consists of 33 member institutions, including 21 from Jiangsu Province, 9 from Hong Kong and 3 from Macau. The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) is a member of the first standing committee of JHMUA.
Mrs. Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR); Mr. Jiang Jianxiang, Director-General of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR; CUHK Vice-Chancellor Professor Rocky Tuan; Mr. Wu Zhenglong, Party Secretary of Jiangsu Province; Ms. Ao Ieong U, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macau Special Administrative Region; and senior management of alliance member institutions attended the inauguration ceremony.
Following the inauguration ceremony, a higher education summit and the first standing committee meeting was held. Leaders from more than 30 institutions attended the summit and discussed on the theme of “Regional Integration, Technology Innovation and New Mission of University Development”. CUHK Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Strategic Development) Prof. Chan Wai-Yee joined the first standing committee meeting to review the 2022 work plan and discuss future development matters of the Alliance.
CUHK has been in close academic links with various universities in Jiangsu Province. Fields of collaboration include joint research projects, alliance network, student interflow and faculty exchange activities. The establishment of the Alliance will deepen institutional collaboration in nurturing talents and scientific research, consolidating resources for driving initiatives that incorporate efforts to enhance the quality of higher education among the three regions.
CUHK Attends BRICS Universities League Annual Meeting
The BRICS University League organized the annual meeting on 20 December. Member universities joined the meeting to receive the annual report from the Secretariat of the League, approve the application of new members and discuss the development roadmap to encourage the exchanges and collaborations among members. Representatives from the China Engagement Office of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) attended the annual meeting online on behalf of CUHK.
The BRICS University League was initiated by universities from China, Russia, Brazil, South Africa and India (BRICS) to establish a platform for bilateral and multilateral exchanges among BRICS universities. In 2015, Beijing Consensus declared at BRICS University President Forum held in Beijing Normal University officially announced the establishment of the League. It has the mission of serving students, scholars and researchers in the 5 countries and promoting common development of member universities. CUHK was invited to join the League in 2019.
CUHK Joins the Annual Meeting of Shanghai-HK University Alliance
The Annual Meeting of Shanghai-Hong Kong University Alliance (SHUA) was held online on 22 December. Around 90 representatives form government officials and alliance members in Shanghai and Hong Kong joined the annual event. Representatives from the China Engagement Office attended the meeting on behalf of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK).
Participants reported the alliance achievements over the past year, and devised work plans for future development. The meeting also reviewed and approved the appointment of next chairman and vice chairman of the Alliance Board. A linkage workshop was organized after the meeting. 42 alliance members attended the workshop under the topic of “Mental Health of Students During the Pandemic” to share experience relating to the management of students’ mental health during the pandemic situation.
SHUA was founded by 16 universities in Shanghai and Hong Kong, to establish a closer linkage among member universities and foster talent nurturing and scientific research collaboration. Member universities include 8 institutions in Shanghai, namely Fudan Universities, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Tongji University, East China Normal University, Shanghai University, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai Normal University, East China University of Political Science and Law; and 8 institutions in Hong Kong, including The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University, Lingnan University, The Education University of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and The University of Hong Kong.
CUHK Hosts The Second Southern Institute of Chinese Linguistics
The Second Southern Institute of Chinese Linguistics took place virtually from December 5 to 15, 2021. Organized by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao University Alliance for Chinese (GHMUAC), it was hosted by T.T. Ng Chinese Language Research Centre of the Institute of Chinese Studies at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), and co-organized by Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU). Professors of alliance member institutes were invited as speakers for the event. Representative speakers of CUHK included Prof. Tang Sze-Wing, Director of T.T. Ng Chinese Language Research Centre; Prof. Feng Sheng-li, Professor of Department of Chinese Language and Literature; and Prof. Pan Haihua, Professor and Chairman of Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages.
Focusing on different aspects of Chinese linguistics, the 13 lectures of the Institute attracted an enrollment of more than 1,200 students and colleagues from not only the Greater Bay Area but another 30 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities nationwide; 12 countries in Asia; 15 countries in Europe and America; and one country in Africa.
With its purpose of building up an academic exchange platform of openness and inclusiveness, the Institute will seek to bring more events in various forms and promote the cooperation and exchange in Chinese linguistics within and beyond the Greater Bay Area.
Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao University Alliance for Chinese (GHMUAC), a member of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao University Alliance (GHMUA), was initiated and established in July 2019 by the Department of Chinese Language and Literature at CUHK, the Department of Chinese Language and Literature at SYSU and the Department of Chinese Language and Literature at the University of Macau (UM). It serves as a higher education platform that aspires to extend the efforts of the universities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in promoting academic cooperation on Chinese and as a force for driving initiatives that unite the strength of the Chinese research and education at a higher level among universities in the area.
CUHK Attends Tsinghua Innovation Day of Innovation & Entrepreneurship Education Alliance of China
Professor Wong Kam Fai, Director of the Centre for Innovation and Technology and Associate Dean of Faculty of Engineering of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), attended Tsinghua Innovation Day online on 27 November. More than 200 participants combining scholars from various universities, well-known entrepreneurs, educators and students, participated in the event online and offline.
Professor Wong gave a speech with the topic “The Ecology of CUHK Innovation and Entrepreneurship” at the “Nurturing Innovation and Entrepreneurship Talents Forum” of the event. He shared CUHK’s plans in innovation and technology in the Greater Bay Area, especially the top-level design of innovation and technology entrepreneurship.
Tsinghua Innovation Day 2021 with the theme of “Hit Innovation, Hit the Future” launched a series of activities related to innovation and entrepreneurship. The event was supported by the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Education Alliance of China (IEEAC). IEEAC was initiated by Tsinghua University to serve as an important platform in implementation of the innovation-driven education among the universities and social enterprises. CUHK accepted the invitation to join the Alliance in early 2016 and is now serving as the Deputy Secretary-General of Hong Kong region.