President's visits bolster ties with prestigious mainland universities
CityU's delegation comprised Professor (Chair) Chan Chi-hou, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering, Professor (Chair) Wei Kwok-kee, Dean of the Faculty of Business, Professor (Chair) Horace Ip Ho-Shing, Acting Dean of the School of Creative Media, and Dr Zhu Guobin, Director of External Liaison and Cooperation Office.
Professor Kuo intended to formalise the existing collaboration on individual projects between university departments by transforming them into university-level projects.
"CityU will allocate more resources to consolidating cooperation with top mainland universities by making the existing arrangement more systematic. We aim to develop the University into a strategic partner with mainland universities and serve as a transit point for them to connect with overseas universities," said Professor Kuo.
Professor Kuo stressed that mainland universities had made rapid and significant progress in recent years, as evidenced by their steady rise in international rankings. It appeared likely their ranking would surpass that of local universities within five to 10 years, he said. Therefore, CityU should focus on actual work rather than empty talk.
In this regard, CityU would consolidate the existing collaborative projects with mainland universities and explore further cooperation prospects under the principle of "unity through each other's strengths, complementing advantages and creating a win-win situation". Professor Kuo encouraged the University's faculties and departments to explore the possibility of collaborating with mainland universities under the policy "initiatives by faculties and departments with the guidance of the University."
CityU's delegation visited the new campus areas of the three universities and received updates on their latest developments. In meetings with university management, the delegation discussed areas such as the development of academic departments, academic strengths and collaboration. Several agreements were concluded, including those relating to joint programmes to nurture PhD students, offering joint degree programmes, student exchange programme, and expansion and provision of CityU training to mainland administrative staff. In addition, the delegation discussed the possibility of setting up a CityU Shanghai office on the Shanghai Jiaotong University campus.
Throughout the visit, it became evident to the delegation that the rapid development of mainland universities would not be halted. Their determination to become world-class universities, and their achievements so far, were highly commendable. "Their outstanding development may put pressure on us. However, we are confident it will only add momentum to the acceleration of our internationalisation process. Under the leadership of Professor Kuo, all students and staff will be united to build a brighter future for CityU," Dr Zhu said.
During the visit, Professor Kuo and the delegation met Professor Ma Dexiu, Director of the Management Committee, Professor Zhang Jie, President, Professor Ye Quyuan, Deputy President, at Shanghai Jiaotong University; Professor Wang Shenghong, President, and Professor Xuzheng, Vice President, at Fudan University; and Professor Yang Wei, President of Zhejiang University. They were also received by the deans and heads of faculties and departments of the three universities.