------------------------------------
Vice-Chancellor of CUHK Visits Beijing and Harbin
Professor Rocky Tuan, Vice-Chancellor of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) visited Harbin and Beijing from 11 to 14 October. In Harbin, Professor Tuan attended the Forum on Building World-class Universities cum Meeting of the Association of University Presidents of China, and discussed future paths of development with leaders of various mainland and local universities including Fudan University, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Nanjing University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, The University of Hong Kong, Tsinghua University, University of Science and Technology of China, Xi'an Jiaotong University and Zhejiang University (in alphabetical order). Officials from the State Ministry of Education, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Ministry of Finance, as well as those from Heilongjiang Provincial Committee and Government were also invited to join the activities.
Heads of the 12 participating universities gave reports and held discussions on the three main themes of the meeting, namely "Path and Thoughts on World-class Universities Construction with Chinese Characteristics", "Establishment of Talent Cultivating System on High-level Undergraduate Education in New Era", and "Universities' Role in the National Innovation System", sharing insights about recent education development and reform. Professor Tuan gave an overview of CUHK's Strategic Plan, innovation projects, core entrepreneurial support, his idea on innovation, as well as recommendations on mainland development, particularly that of the Greater Bay Area, in his presentation entitled "Research Innovation & Entrepreneurship at CUHK".
The Board Meeting of the Association of University Presidents of China (AUPC) was called during the Forum. Participating senior members shared opinions on future plans of AUPC and how to enhance links among members. Professor Tuan was also appointed the new President of AUPC at the meeting.
During his visit in Beijing, Professor Tuan joined the 7th McDonnell Academy Symposium organized by Tsinghua University and Washington University in St. Louis, meeting scholars and specialists from 35 renowned universities around the world to discuss on the theme of "Global Challenges for Today's Research Universities: Health, Energy and Environment, and Agriculture". Participating representatives signed a declaration to boost sustainability measures and reduce carbon emissions on campus.
AUPC, founded in 1997, comprises member institutions including CUHK, nine universities which were first ranked on Project 985 of mainland China (i.e. C9 universities), The University of Hong Kong, and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Apart from annual meetings and Presidents Forums among member universities, the Association also administers the AUPC Visiting Scholar / Executive Scheme to promote exchange and further academic linkage among members.
The Forum on Building World-Class Universities was initiated by C9 universities which aims to promote the establishment of China's first-class universities, and inter-institutional collaboration and exchange. Member institutions take turns to convene the summit starting from 2003, and the three Hong Kong universities including CUHK were invited to participate in it since 2010.
------------------------------------
Associate Vice-President of CUHK Joins Beijing-Hong Kong University Presidents Forum
Professor Wong Suk-ying, Associate Vice-President of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) attended the Beijing-Hong Kong University Presidents Forum from 23 to 25 October. Leaders and representatives from 20 member universities of the Beijing-Hong Kong University Alliance (BHUA), as well as officials from the State Ministry of Education, Beijing Municipal Education Commission, Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, and Education Bureau of HKSAR Government joined the meeting in Beijing.
Representatives of alliance members gave presentations in the forum, which was divided into two panels of "Technological Innovation and Research Collaboration" and "Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Talent Nurture". Professor Wong served as the moderator for the panel forum on "Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Talent Nurture", where she led delegates to start dialogue and share relevant experience. Hot topics in tertiary education were discussed with university students in Beijing, including the future development between Beijing and Hong Kong, and the nurture of innovation talents. The first Board Meeting of the Alliance was also called, during which member institutions discussed the work plan for 2019. A plague-unveiling ceremony of the alliance liaison office was held during the opening ceremony of the Forum.
BHUA was founded in April this year by CUHK and various local and capital universities, with the aim to establishing closer linkage and exchange among member universities, enhancing talent nurturing and research collaboration, as well as the levels of tertiary education. The alliance has a total of 20 member institutions at present, including eight local and 12 Beijing universities. The Presidents Forum under the alliance this year was included in the framework of the Beijing-Hong Kong Economic Cooperation Symposium to facilitate exchange of ideas and collaboration for the two regions in the future.
------------------------------------
Provost of CUHK Attends Founding Ceremony of Westlake University
Westlake University, being China's first modern private research-oriented university, was established on 20 October. Professor Benjamin Wah, Provost of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), attended the founding ceremony of Westlake University in Hangzhou, sending best wishes to Westlake University on behalf of CUHK and attending a series of academic activities. Professor Yang Chen-ning, Distinguished Professor-at-Large of CUHK and winner of Nobel Prize in Physics, officiated at the plague-unveiling ceremony in the capacity of Honorary Council Chairman of Westlake University.
Westlake University was developed from Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, with the nurture of doctoral students as their foundation. It is expected to start admissions of undergraduate students in 2022-23.
