The 6th Summer Research Placement Programme for Mainland and Taiwan Students

The Office of Academic Links (China) organized the Summer Research Placement Programme for Mainland and Taiwan Students during 24 June to 16 August 2013 at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK).  The programme aims at encouraging academic exchange among research students in Hong Kong, Mainland China and Taiwan, and enhancing collaboration among the universities in the 3 regions.

Twenty-two institutions comprising 54students participated in the programme this year, including Chinese Academy of Sciences, Peking University, The Fourth Military Medical University, Nanjing University, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Tsinghua University, Zhejiang University, Sun Yat-sen University, Beihang University, Jinan University, China Agricultural University, Taiwan University, Taiwan Cheng Kung University, Taiwan Chiao Tung University and Taiwan Tsinghua University. With the support from 17 academic dapartments, participating students took part in research internship programme for 8 weeks on different projects covering Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry, Chinese Medicine, Electronic Engineering, Government and Public Administration, History, Housing Innovations, Information Engineering, Law, Mathematics, Mechanical and Automation Engineering, Medicine and Therapeutics, Pharmacy, Physics and Systems Engineering & Engineering Management.

Apart from research training, the students were provided with opportunities to interflow with postgraduate students of CUHK and to tour key research facilities in the University. Visits were also arranged to some major public organizations in Hong Kong, such as Hong Kong Equal Opportunities Commission and Independent Commission Against Corruption. These activities offered a broader picture of CUHK and Hong Kong.

Prof. Fok Tai-fai, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of CUHK attended the closing ceremony and presented certificate to the participating students. The placement programme has created a valuable learning opportunity for Mainland and Taiwan students to study in Hong Kong, and strengthened partnership between the University and its partner institutions in Mainland China and Taiwan.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Learning beyond the Classroom --- CUHK Student Summer Interflow Programmes in Mainland China and Taiwan

To let students of CUHK enjoy the long term breaks while better equipping themselves at the same time, the Office of Academic Links (China) organises a wide range of student interflow activities every summer and winter, in collaboration with our partner institutes in Mainland China and Taiwan. Students are expected to gain a solid understanding of the political, economic, social, cultural, historical, technological and educational developments of Mainland China and Taiwan, and to immerse themselves in different cultures. This summer (from May to August), about a hundred CUHK students participated in the following activities and trips to Mainland China and Taiwan:

Participating students attended academic seminars and talks, joined campus tours, and visited natural heritage and historical sites. Some even joined other meetings and exchange activities. All these help our students to build strong links with other students from Mainland China and Taiwan, greatly contributing to their academic and personal growth. Here is some of the sharing by our students:

"Hong Kong is a small place with such a vast array of opportunities that it is easy for our generation to become complacent and unwilling to look beyond the borders of this safe niche we occupy. However, unbeknownst to us, the world is moving inexorably forward, and it is only through inter-region activities that we can catch a glimpse of what the world has become. The Wu Ta-you Science Camp is one such activity that facilitates exchange of knowledge and culture, but does not promote unnecessary competition. People of different backgrounds and beliefs came together to debate, to question, to learn, and hopefully in the process, come to know each other as friends. The conversations are not limited to academic topics, but also include details of each other's daily life that we could never read about in books, and even a few controversial issues. It is, perhaps, the latter two that were the most important. Everyone holds his or her own stereotypical views – it is pointless to deny this fact – but through mutual understanding, it is possible to reduce the salience of such stereotypes. Interaction with students from other regions certainly opened my eyes. I cannot hope to match their tenacity, diligence, and eagerness to learn, and the scope of their knowledge never ceases to amaze. What they actually know is not limited to what their curriculum indicates they should know, but extends far beyond textbooks and lessons. Perhaps it is time for us to crawl out the cave we dug ourselves into, and to actually see. It may hurt at first - my self-esteem certainly took a beating – but ultimately it will be worth it."

(Miss Priscilla Shum, participant of 2013 The 12th Wu Ta-you Science Camp)

"This is the first time for me to visit the capital of my own country. As in my previous imagination, Beijing is a place full of Chinese culture. It would be a place that was filled with lots of ancient buildings. However, after this trip, I found that some of these old buildings were damaged or demolished as the government is trying to turn Beijing into a modern city. This would be a tragedy as these buildings actually represent the culture of China. The government should be protecting them instead damaging. Also, after this program, I know more about the point of view from different people about the relationship of China and Hong Kong. It helps me to get to know my own country and my place of birth deeper."

(Miss Angelina Ng, participant of Beijing - Hong Kong Mainland Cultural Camp 2013)

"The trip was an eye-opening one. The increasing number of commercial skyscrapers and high rise buildings in Jiefangbei shows me the massive support from the government in transforming the city into an economic and trade centre.  During the trip, I also had the opportunity to explore some historical buildings and heritage sites such as Bai Gong Guan and Dazu Rock Carvings.  Above all, the Yangtze River cruise was definitely the highlight of the summer camp. Sailing through the spectacular Three Gorges, I could hear the river water lapping against the ship and enjoy the cool breezes. My friends and I were particularly excited when we were passing through the four locks of the dam before dawn. We were all amazed by the huge locks and the government efforts in completing such a world's largest civil engineering project. The whole Yangtze River journey is surely a wonderful experience that you should not miss when visiting Chongqing.I was glad to have had the chance to participate in the camp and gain a deeper understanding of the development of both Chongqing and Yangtze River."

(Miss Chau Lai Chu, participant of Chongqing Summer Camp 2013)