CityUHK Council Chairman visits Middle East and Central Asia to advance Belt and Road higher education collaboration
From 10 to 14 October, Professor Michael Ngai, Council Chairman of City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), visited Doha, the capital of Qatar, and Almaty, the largest city in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The visit aimed to deepen CityUHK’s partnerships with leading universities and enterprises in the region and to promote higher education collaboration under the Belt and Road Initiative.
During his stay in Doha, Professor Ngai, accompanied by Professor Kevin Downing, Secretary to Council, and Professor Li Wen Jung, Vice-President (Talent and International Strategy), met with Dr Huda Mahmoud Abdullah Mahmoud, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs of Kuwait University. This marked Professor Ngai’s second meeting with representatives from Kuwait University this year, following his visit in May. The two sides engaged in in-depth discussions on academic exchange, talent development, and entrepreneurship, finalising key details of their collaborative efforts.
Professor Ngai highlighted CityUHK’s impressive rise in major global rankings. According to the newly released Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026, CityUHK achieved its best-ever performance, ranking 75th globally. He expressed his hope that CityUHK and Kuwait University would leverage their respective strengths to jointly nurture globally minded and high-achieving talent.
Continuing their journey, Professor Ngai and Professor Downing traveled to Almaty, where they visited Satbayev University and were warmly received by Rector Meiram Begentayev. The two institutions held extensive discussions on the vision for Belt and Road education development and explored ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.
Professor Ngai also delivered a keynote speech to students at CityUHK Institute for Research and Innovation at Satbayev University, introducing CityUHK’s educational philosophy and latest developments. The institute, jointly established by CityUHK and Satbayev University, is dedicated to interdisciplinary research and aims to combine the research strengths of both institutions to develop innovative solutions to global challenges. Professor Ngai officiated the institute’s opening ceremony during his visit to Satbayev University in May.
In his speech, Professor Ngai emphasised CityUHK’s focus on internationalisation and innovation. He noted that the University provides students with global exchange opportunities and, through initiatives like the HK Tech 300 entrepreneurship programme and strong industry ties, encourages them to transform creative ideas and research into practical applications. This approach cultivates entrepreneurial talent with a global perspective, driving positive change in society.
In recognition of Professor Ngai’s outstanding contributions to fostering teaching, research and academic exchange between CityUHK and Belt and Road universities, Satbayev University conferred upon him the title of Honorary Professorship.
While in Almaty, Professor Ngai also visited Kazakhmys, a major copper mining company in Kazakhstan, where he held fruitful discussions with company representatives on joint research, internship opportunities and talent development.
Since assuming office on 1 January this year, Professor Ngai has actively expanded CityUHK’s global network and strengthened collaborations with top universities worldwide. His visits have spanned the Chinese Mainland, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Türkiye, Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Kingdom, further enhancing CityUHK’s international academic influence and leadership.
CityUHK is fully aligned with the vision of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government of the People's Republic of China to position Hong Kong as an international hub for post-secondary education and is committed to promoting the Study in Hong Kong brand. This visit not only consolidated CityUHK’s academic ties in the Middle East and Central Asia, but also marked a significant step forward in advancing the Belt and Road Initiative, reinforcing CityUHK’s proactive role in fostering global higher education exchange.
Media enquiries:
Sunny Liu, Communications and Institutional Research Office, CityUHK (Tel: 3442 9322)
During his stay in Doha, Professor Ngai, accompanied by Professor Kevin Downing, Secretary to Council, and Professor Li Wen Jung, Vice-President (Talent and International Strategy), met with Dr Huda Mahmoud Abdullah Mahmoud, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs of Kuwait University. This marked Professor Ngai’s second meeting with representatives from Kuwait University this year, following his visit in May. The two sides engaged in in-depth discussions on academic exchange, talent development, and entrepreneurship, finalising key details of their collaborative efforts.
Professor Ngai highlighted CityUHK’s impressive rise in major global rankings. According to the newly released Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026, CityUHK achieved its best-ever performance, ranking 75th globally. He expressed his hope that CityUHK and Kuwait University would leverage their respective strengths to jointly nurture globally minded and high-achieving talent.
Continuing their journey, Professor Ngai and Professor Downing traveled to Almaty, where they visited Satbayev University and were warmly received by Rector Meiram Begentayev. The two institutions held extensive discussions on the vision for Belt and Road education development and explored ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.
Professor Ngai also delivered a keynote speech to students at CityUHK Institute for Research and Innovation at Satbayev University, introducing CityUHK’s educational philosophy and latest developments. The institute, jointly established by CityUHK and Satbayev University, is dedicated to interdisciplinary research and aims to combine the research strengths of both institutions to develop innovative solutions to global challenges. Professor Ngai officiated the institute’s opening ceremony during his visit to Satbayev University in May.
In his speech, Professor Ngai emphasised CityUHK’s focus on internationalisation and innovation. He noted that the University provides students with global exchange opportunities and, through initiatives like the HK Tech 300 entrepreneurship programme and strong industry ties, encourages them to transform creative ideas and research into practical applications. This approach cultivates entrepreneurial talent with a global perspective, driving positive change in society.
In recognition of Professor Ngai’s outstanding contributions to fostering teaching, research and academic exchange between CityUHK and Belt and Road universities, Satbayev University conferred upon him the title of Honorary Professorship.
While in Almaty, Professor Ngai also visited Kazakhmys, a major copper mining company in Kazakhstan, where he held fruitful discussions with company representatives on joint research, internship opportunities and talent development.
Since assuming office on 1 January this year, Professor Ngai has actively expanded CityUHK’s global network and strengthened collaborations with top universities worldwide. His visits have spanned the Chinese Mainland, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Türkiye, Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Kingdom, further enhancing CityUHK’s international academic influence and leadership.
CityUHK is fully aligned with the vision of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government of the People's Republic of China to position Hong Kong as an international hub for post-secondary education and is committed to promoting the Study in Hong Kong brand. This visit not only consolidated CityUHK’s academic ties in the Middle East and Central Asia, but also marked a significant step forward in advancing the Belt and Road Initiative, reinforcing CityUHK’s proactive role in fostering global higher education exchange.
Media enquiries:
Sunny Liu, Communications and Institutional Research Office, CityUHK (Tel: 3442 9322)