CityUHK signs MoU with Slovakia’s leading university to expand “Belt and Road” partnerships in Europe

SAMSON MAK

26 Feb 2026

(From left) Professor Katarína Smatanová and Professor Lin

City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) and Slovak University of Technology in Brastislava (STU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a strategic academic and research partnership. This partnership expands CityUHK’s academic network in Europe, marking a significant step in aligning with the national “Belt and Road” Initiative. It aims to deepen higher education cooperation with countries along the route and to strengthen efforts in promoting the “Study in Hong Kong” brand.

Professor Katarína Smatanová, Vice-Rector for Public Relations and International Cooperation at STU, led a delegation to CityUHK on 25 February. She signed the MoU with Professor Jennifer Lin, Associate Vice-President (Global Strategy), and was warmly welcomed by several CityUHK representatives, including Professor Steven Wang, Associate Vice-President (Resources Planning); Professor Yanni Sun, Associate Head (Undergraduate Programmes) of the Department of Electrical Engineering; Professor Alvin Lai, Associate Head of the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering; and Professor Juan Antonio Zapien, from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering.

The MoU aims to foster a robust partnership in research and education. Under the collaborative framework, STU and CityUHK will collaborate on faculty and student exchanges, joint curriculum development and the sharing of research data. Both institutions will also jointly promote collaborative research projects, academic publications, lectures, seminars and international conferences.

Located in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, and founded in 1937, STU is the country’s oldest and most influential top-tier university. It specialises in engineering, technology, architecture and related scientific research. Renowned for its excellence in research and teaching quality, STU has garnered numerous international accolades and is widely acknowledged as one of Europe’s leading universities.

The STU delegation visits CityUHK and exchange views with CityUHK representatives.

The STU delegation also included Professor Vladimír Kutiš, Dean of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology; Professor Jaroslav Kováč, from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology; and Ms Dominika Repko, Director of the International Office.

This visit by the STU delegation expanded the partnership between the two institutions and laid a solid foundation for future interdisciplinary collaboration. This partnership reflects CityUHK’s long-term commitment to actively participating in “Belt and Road” educational cooperation and promoting international academic exchange.

CityUHK remains committed to fostering academic and scientific collaboration through strategic partnerships with leading universities and other organisations worldwide. For more information about CityUHK’s global alliances, please visit the thematic website.