HKUST (GZ) delegation tour seeks collaboration, talent development

Educational exchanges play a key role in tackling global issues collaboratively and fostering exceptional talent, said Lionel Ni Ming-shuan, founding president of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou).

The university president leads a delegation, visiting Europe from Jan 24 to Feb 8, seeking to have in-depth communication with 20 world-renowned higher education institutions and consortia in Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and France.

The tour marks the first large-scale overseas visit by a delegation from HKUST (GZ), since its official establishment in 2022.

Speaking to China Daily, Ni stressed the need for universities to work together in an era of changes, where technology evolution and climate change are affecting every country regardless of national borders.

"There are some problems which could not be solved by one single country," he said. "For example, the impacts of climate change transcend borders. Another case could be artificial intelligence. I think the world should reach consensus on the ethics of the technology, about what kinds of AI systems are acceptable and what are unacceptable."

Ni expressed hope for opportunities to establish collaborative research projects between HKUST (GZ) and European universities, to deal with issues of common interest.

He noted that the China-EU High-Level People-to-People Dialogue will also be reinvigorated.

Launched in 2012, the dialogue brings together decision-makers and practitioners in the areas of education, culture, youth, sport and gender to exchange ideas and practice on how China and the EU can collaborate in areas of common concern. The sixth meeting of the dialogue is scheduled to be held this year.

"We are all for it and ready to get into action," Ni said.