CityUHK establishes strategic partnerships with three leading universities in Türkiye, expanding academic and research collaboration along the Belt and Road
City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) recently participated in the Global Sustainable Development Summit 2025 (GSDC 2025), held in Istanbul, Türkiye, where it actively expanded its international collaboration efforts under the Belt and Road Initiative.
During the summit, CityUHK formalised strategic partnerships with three prestigious institutions in Türkiye: Ankara University, Sabanci University, and Koç University. These partnerships aim to promote academic exchange and research innovation, with a shared commitment to nurturing globally minded talent.
CityUHK signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the three universities, covering key areas, such as faculty and researcher exchanges, postgraduate student mobility, joint supervision of doctoral students, co-authored publications and shared research outcomes. These agreements mark a significant milestone in CityUHK’s international research collaboration efforts.
“These MoUs are more than academic agreements—they are bridges connecting CityUHK with Türkiye’s higher-education sector, symbolising our joint commitment to advancing knowledge and cultivating talent,” said Mr Michael Ngai, Chairman of the Council.
Each partner university brings unique strengths to the collaboration:
Ankara University, the first higher-education institution established following the founding of the Republic of Türkiye, is ranked second nationally and is renowned for its excellence in medicine, and the humanities and social sciences. Its distinguished performance in medical and veterinary sciences aligns closely with CityUHK’s research priorities, paving the way for interdisciplinary collaboration and talent development.
Sabanci University is recognised for its expertise in advanced materials, digital transformation and sustainable development. CityUHK’s School of Energy and Environment is a leader in related fields, and the partnership will focus on developing green technologies and smart city solutions, aiming to position Istanbul and Hong Kong as models of urban resilience.
Koç University is internationally acclaimed for its strong research capabilities, global outlook and interdisciplinary education. Its College of Engineering is ranked among the top in Europe and the United States, particularly in computer science and information systems. CityUHK’s recent establishment of the School of Data Science and the School of Biomedical Sciences complements Koç’s strengths, fostering innovation-driven development for societal and economic benefits.
Professor Freddy Boey, President and University Distinguished Professor of CityUHK, stated, “Türkiye is a key partner country in the Belt and Road Initiative. These three new collaborations will leverage joint research projects and digital academic exchanges to maximise our collective strengths and reaffirm our commitment to co-creating knowledge and driving innovation.”
He emphasised that by deepening partnerships with Belt and Road countries, CityUHK aims to cultivate more globally competitive talent and reinforce Hong Kong’s position as a leading international hub for higher education.
The GSDC 2025 was co-hosted by Türkiye’s Council of Higher Education and convened by Times Higher Education, with a strong focus on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and sustainability-related issues.
Media enquiries:
Poying Hung, Communications and Institutional Research Office, CityUHK (Tel: 3442 4218)