CityUHK signs MoU with Uruguay's largest university to deepen international academic collaboration
City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) and Uruguay’s Universidad de la República (UdelaR) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking the beginning of a multi-faceted academic partnership. The collaboration will encompass the exchange of academic and research personnel, student exchanges and academic research collaboration, with the shared goal of advancing the internationalisation of higher education.
On 6 November, Professor Mariana Seoane, Vice President of UdelaR, and Mr Federico Lage, Consul-General of Uruguay in Hong Kong, led a delegation to visit CityUHK. The delegation was warmly received by Professor Li Wen Jung, CityUHK’s Vice-President (Talent and International Strategy), along with other senior representatives, including Professor Isaiah Tuvia Arkin, Dean of the College of Biomedicine; Professor Alfred Ho Tat-kei, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences; Professor Jennifer Lin Fen, Associate Vice-President (Global Strategy); Professor Tony Feng Shien-ping, Associate Dean (Industry Engagement) in the College of Engineering; Professor Paulo Steagall from the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences; and Ms Ng Pheck Choo, Senior Director (Office of the President) and Director of the Global Engagement Office.
CityUHK was named the “Most International University in the World” by Times Higher Education (THE) for two consecutive years in 2024 and 2025. Additionally, CityUHK soared to 7th place in Asia in the newly released Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Asia University Rankings 2026, maintaining its position as third in Hong Kong. In his welcome remarks, Professor Li highlighted that in recent years, CityUHK has actively expanded its global network, forging strong partnerships with institutions across Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East. The collaboration with UdelaR marks a significant milestone in extending CityUHK’s academic footprint to South America. Professor Li expressed confidence that the partnership would leverage the strengths of both institutions to achieve impactful outcomes in research innovation, talent development and academic exchange.
Professor Seoane shared that UdelaR, founded in 1849, is Uruguay’s oldest, largest and most influential higher-education institution. She expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration with CityUHK, which she believes will foster meaningful academic and cultural exchange, and create new opportunities for both students and faculty.
During the meeting, representatives from the two universities engaged in in-depth discussions on potential collaboration in biomedicine, veterinary medicine, engineering, and the humanities and social sciences. They also exchanged views on higher-education development, internationalisation strategies, and the promotion of innovation and entrepreneurship.
Following the discussions, Professor Li, Professor Seoane and Professor Gonzalo Vicci, the President of the International Relations Service of UdelaR, formally signed the MoU on behalf of their respective institutions, witnessed by Professor Arkin and Mr Lage. Under the agreement, the two universities will regularly exchange academic and research personnel to promote academic dialogue and methodological exchange. The student-exchange programme will provide a cross-cultural learning platform, enhancing global perspectives and practical competencies for participants. Additionally, the two parties will collaborate on joint research projects and co-publish their academic findings, targeting global and regional challenges.
CityUHK remains committed to fostering an international learning environment and expanding its global engagement, building strategic partnerships with leading universities worldwide to drive the continuous development and innovation of international education.