In July, President Prof. Timothy W. Tong met with the presidents of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Nazarbayev University and Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools in Kazakhstan, with an aim to strengthening ties with the universities and schools along the Belt and Road. President Tong also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nazarbayev University to foster long-term partnership in academic and research collaboration as well as student and staff exchange.
In support of the Nation’s Belt and Road Initiative, PolyU’s Global Youth Leadership Institute and Peking University have jointly organised the SOAR (Serving heart, Open-mindedness, Aspiration, Responsibility) Youth Leadership Programme, with an objective to broadening student’s global perspectives through serving in countries along the Belt and Road. This summer, over 30 students went to Kyrgyzstan to serve the local community. They were joined by President Tong in conducting eye checkup and vision screening for some 500 children and teenagers. President Tong and some students also visited two local families in Krygyzstan.
“This service-learning trip did not only benefit the local community, it was beneficial for our students as well. They could make use of the opportunity to understand the social issues, to explore a different culture and to widen their international outlook. This, in turn, has helped open up their minds and enhance their competitiveness.” said President Tong.