Jiangsu-Hong Kong-Macao University Alliance officially inaugurated to jointly nurture talents and promote innovation and technology development in the three regions

The Jiangsu-Hong Kong-Macao University Alliance (JHMUA) jointly established by Nanjing University, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the University of Macau was officially inaugurated at a ceremony held today simultaneously in Nanjing and Hong Kong. The JHMUA aims to leverage the advantages of institutions in Jiangsu Province, Hong Kong and Macau to strengthen exchange and collaboration in areas such as talent cultivation and research in innovation and technology.

With the full support of the governments of the three regions, the JHMUA now consists of 33 member institutions, including 21 from Jiangsu Province, nine from Hong Kong and three from Macau. The first term of the JHMUA is chaired by Nanjing University while PolyU, the University of Macau and Nanjing Normal University will act as Vice Chairmen.

Mrs Carrie LAM CHENG Yuet-ngor, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, attended the inauguration ceremony of the JHMUA. She said in her speech, “I visited Nanjing two years ago to attend the second Jiangsu-Hong Kong Summit on Interconnected Development and had a discussion with Mr Wu Zhenglong, Secretary of Jiangsu Province, and leaders of the Province on how to further strengthen the collaboration between the two locations. I also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between PolyU and the Jiangsu Industrial Technology Research Institute, aiming to propel integrated industrial development. I furthermore had discussions with the management and students of Nanjing University on their campus. That visit provided a good foundation for more collaboration between the two locations on various aspects including higher education and helped contribute to the growth of the Greater Bay Area as well as the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta. Therefore, I am especially excited to congratulate the establishment of the Alliance today.”

Professor Jin-Guang Teng, President of PolyU, said he is honoured to be participating in the establishment of the Alliance. He said, “Hong Kong institutions have been forging close ties with those in Jiangsu Province and Macau and collaborating closely with them in academic exchanges, scientific research as well as student development. Following the establishment of the JHMUA, we hope the institutions will have more opportunities to work together for the development of education and scientific research in the three regions.”

PolyU has in the past years partnered with more than 30 institutions and organisations in Jiangsu Province to kick start over 100 teaching and research projects. Professor Teng remarked, “The economic and educational development of Jiangsu Province is highly acclaimed in our Nation. In addition, Jiangsu Province has witnessed the rapid development of a number of strategic emerging industries in recent years, such as artificial intelligence, biomedicine, new energy technology and more. Such progress brings about tremendous opportunities in innovation and technology, research and even entrepreneurship for institutions and talents in the three regions.”

Benefitting from the staunch support provided by the governments in the three regions, it is expected that the JHMUA will bring the institutions in those regions together, enabling them to complement each other with their respective strengths to facilitate collaboration in research and enhance talent development, with the ultimate goal of “collaborating and sharing achievements together”.

Following the inauguration ceremony, a higher education summit was held on the theme of “Regional Integration, Technology Innovation and Universities’ Development New Mission”. Leaders from more than 30 institutions attended the summit that provided much inspiration on the direction of the future development of the respective institutions.

Back in November 2019, Chief Executive Mrs Carrie Lam visited Jiangsu Province and initiated the establishment of the “Jiangsu-Hong Kong University Alliance”. In early 2020, the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education recommended to include institutions from Macau in the Alliance, to increase the strength and resources of the Alliance and enhance the effectiveness of collaboration among the institutions in Jiangsu Province, Hong Kong and Macau.

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