PolyU hosts JHMUA Annual Meeting and Presidents’ Forum to foster dialogue on university development in Jiangsu, Hong Kong and Macao

Hosted by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), the Jiangsu-Hong Kong-Macao University Alliance (JHMUA) Annual Meeting and Presidents’ Forum was held yesterday on PolyU campus. The event brought together 130 education officials and senior management members from 38 member universities in Jiangsu, Hong Kong and Macao to discuss the development of the Alliance and collaboration in areas including talent development and research on innovative technologies.

The distinguished guests in attendance at the meeting included: Ms LIU Jin, Director of the Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges (Office of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs) of the Ministry of Education; Dr CHOI Yuk Lin, Secretary for Education of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR); Ms WU Cheng, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government (LOCPG) in the HKSAR; Mr LI Yongxian, Director of the University Office under the Education and Youth Affairs Department of the LOCPG in the Macao SAR; Mr TENG Sio Hong, Deputy Director of the Education and Youth Development Bureau of the Macao SAR; and Prof. James TANG Tuck-hong, Secretary-General of the University Grants Committee.

In her opening remarks, Ms Liu Jin stated, “Tertiary institutions in Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao can complement each other’s strengths and share resources. The Ministry of Education actively supports them in strengthening exchanges and reinforcing synergies among themselves. In recent years, a number of university alliances have been established. JHMUA should focus on the big picture and provide support for national and regional development. Each university should leverage its strengths to promote the development of high-level universities in Jiangsu, Hong Kong and Macao. Additionally, the Alliance should also provide a platform to facilitate exchanges between tertiary institutions, contribute to global governance and nurture the next generation in these three places.”

PolyU President Prof. Jin-Guang TENG remarked, “Since its inception in 2021, JHMUA has played a pivotal role in bringing together its member institutions to leverage complementary strengths and foster cooperation. It has facilitated numerous exchanges and cooperation activities and established various professional alliances that have enabled member institutions to engage in initiatives across different professional fields. In recent years, with JHMUA serving as a platform, PolyU has enhanced its collaboration with various municipal governments in Jiangsu Province. Together, we have established the PolyU-Wuxi Technology and Innovation Research Institute, founded in collaboration with the Wuxi Municipal Government. In addition, a memorandum of understanding was signed with the Nanjing Municipal Government for the establishment of the PolyU-Nanjing Technology and Innovation Research Institute. These initiatives have not only driven innovation and technology development in the Yangtze River Delta but also fostered industry-academia-research collaborations between universities and local governments.”

Mr JIANG Yong, Director-General of the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education, delivered a speech via video link at the meeting, while Prof. Haitian LU, PolyU Director of Mainland Development Office was the event moderator. During the meeting, Prof. Wang Yonggui, Deputy Director of the School Affairs Committee of Nanjing Normal University, summarised the past achievements of JHMUA and outlined future work plans with a view to deepening the integration of resources among member institutions and driving innovation and development.

In the Presidents’ Forum session, Prof. TAN Zhemin, President of Nanjing University; Prof. Yonghua SONG, Rector of the University of Macau; and Prof. Jin-Guang Teng, each delivered a report. They shared best practices and their experiences in promoting regional cooperation and higher education development, as well as offering suggestions on how to confront the challenges of the evolving era by leveraging their unique strengths and taking into account the characteristics of Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao. They also elaborated on their strategies and accomplishments in terms of talent development and scientific research. During the panel sessions, leaders from member institutions shared their insights into the opportunities and challenges facing higher education in the age of artificial intelligence and big data, as well as research and industrial-technological innovation in universities. The delegates also discussed various other issues including talent cultivation, education and teaching, research and innovation, and industry-academia cooperation with a view to inspiring the development of tertiary institutions in the new era.

The event laid a solid foundation for JHMUA in its pursuit of new opportunities for advancement. Following the event, Dr LAM Tai-fai, PolyU Council Chairman; Prof. Jin-Guang Teng; alongside other members of the PolyU senior management team, welcomed over 200 esteemed guests to a dinner held at Hotel ICON. Distinguished attendees included Mrs Carrie LAM CHENG Yuet-ngor, former Chief Executive of the HKSAR; Prof. Tan Zhemin, President of Nanjing University; Mr LI Weihua, Vice Chairman of the Jiangsu Overseas Friendship Association; Mr SONG Lai, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Youth Affairs of the LOCPG in the HKSAR, as well as representatives from member institutions.

The JHMUA was jointly established by Nanjing University, PolyU and the University of Macau in December 2021. Upholding its mission of “Openness, Sharing, and Diversity”, the Alliance aspires to leverage the advantages of tertiary institutions in Jiangsu Province, Hong Kong and Macao to strengthen exchange and collaboration in areas including talent cultivation and research in innovation and technology. With the full support of the governments of the three regions, the JHMUA now consists of 38 member institutions, including 26 from Jiangsu Province, nine from Hong Kong and three from Macao.