Guests and representatives gather for the Annual Meeting of the Association of University Presidents of China Professor Rocky S. Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK, delivers a welcome speech Mr. Chen Jie, Vice Minister of Education Ministry of Education, delivers a speech Dr. Christine Choi, Secretary for Education in the HKSAR, gives a speech

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) organized the 2023 Meeting of the Association of University Presidents of China (AUPC) and the Forum on Building World-class Universities on 10 December. The event was supported by the State Ministry of Education and the Education Bureau in the HKSAR. Principal guests joining the activities and giving opening speeches comprised Professor Chen Jie, Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Education; Dr. Christine Choi, Secretary for Education in the HKSAR; representatives from the Ministry of Education and presidents of AUPC member universities.

Professor Rocky S. Tuan, CUHK’s Vice-Chancellor and President attended the Forum and delivered opening remarks. He discussed the future development paths of Chinese universities with delegates (including, in alphabetical order), Fudan University, Harbin Institute of Technology, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Nanjing University, Peking University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, The University of Hong Kong, Tsinghua University, The University of Science and Technology of China, Xi’an Jiaotong University and Zhejiang University.

Heads of the 12 participating universities contributed to the Forum, themed “Strategies for Talent Cultivation and Innovation of First-class Universities upon Resumption of Normalcy”, sharing insights into recent educational developments. Professor Tuan delivered a presentation regarding the challenges and responsibilities of higher education in the post-pandemic era. He remarked that 2023 is a very special year for both CUHK and Hong Kong, marking CUHK’s 60th anniversary. With an evolving role in society, higher educational institutions must provide leadership by bringing teaching, learning and research together, to connect with the world in an innovative spirit and play a leading role in global development.

AUPC was founded in 1997, comprising member institutions including CUHK, plus the nine universities that were first recognized under the national government’s Project 985 higher education development scheme, also known as the C9 universities, as well as The University of Hong Kong, and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. The Association aims to dedicate its expertise and coordinate resources to develop higher education in China. Apart from annual meetings and Presidents Forums, as well as student exchanges and joint student performances among member universities, the Association also administers the AUPC Visiting Scholar/Executive Scheme to promote exchange and further academic links among members.

Over 120 participants attend the insightful discussions at the CUHK Diamond Jubilee University Presidents’ Forum 32 university presidents of leading universities from around the world and members of CUHK staff take part in the CUHK Diamond Jubilee University Presidents’ Forum Secretary for Education Dr. Christine Choi delivers welcome remarks CUHK’s Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Rocky S. Tuan delivers opening remarks

The CUHK Diamond Jubilee University Presidents’ Forum was held on 9 December. This signature globally facing event underscored CUHK’s unique role in bridging China and the world and reinforced Hong Kong’s international standing as an education hub.

Themed “Innovation and Edupreneurship: The Shifting Research and Education Agenda”, the Forum celebrated the University’s vibrant partnerships with other institutions of higher learning and research in Hong Kong, the mainland, and overseas. It brought together 32 university presidents from 18 countries and regions across six continents, with more than 120 other global academic leaders and key stakeholders in attendance.

Hong Kong’s Secretary for Education Dr. Christine Choi, extended a warm welcome to the academic leaders from diverse cultural backgrounds at this esteemed intellectual gathering. Professor Rocky S. Tuan, CUHK’s Vice-Chancellor and President emphasized the dynamic nature of academia amid technological advancement, evolving societal needs, and a dynamic global economy. He said, “As global university leaders, we have the unique responsibility to shape the future of education, research, and innovation in response to the changing landscape.”

Subsequent panels witnessed lively exchanges among global higher education leaders including University of Oxford Vice-Chancellor Professor Irene Tracey, University of California Los Angeles Chancellor Professor Gene D. Block, Peking University President Professor Gong Qi-Huang, Nagoya University President Professor Naoshi Sugiyama, University of Toronto President Professor Meric Gertler, and University of Auckland Vice-Chancellor Professor Dawn Freshwater.

The University Presidents’ Forum served as a platform for university leaders to share insights on the evolving role of universities in an ever-changing academic landscape. Aligned to the university’s commitment to fuse Chinese and Western academic traditions it also bolstered CUHK’s partnerships with key partners.

Over 30 senior representatives from leading universities and institutions in China and the US take part in the event Professor Rocky S. Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President, CUHK delivers opening remarks Professor Gong Qihuang, President, Peking University delivers opening remarks Professor Gene D. Block, Chancellor, University of California, Los Angeles delivers opening remarks CUHK and PKU co-organise Sino-US University Presidents’ Dialogue. From left: Professor Rocky S. Tuan, Professor Chen Jie and Professor Gong Qihuang

Co-organised by The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and Peking University, the Sino-US University Presidents’ Dialogue was centered on 10 December with the theme “The Shared Future of Sino-US Universities through Collaboration and Partnership” and drew the participation of over 30 senior representatives of leading universities and institutions in China and the US.

China’s Vice-Minister of Education, Professor Chen Jie, joined as a guest speaker. Coming just weeks after a meeting in San Francisco between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden, it was a timely opportunity for leaders of major higher educational institutions in both countries to share thoughts on stepping up collaboration on global challenges. In his welcoming remarks Professor Rocky Tuan, President and Vice-Chancellor of CUHK said: “Higher education plays a pivotal role in promoting international exchanges and cooperation, particularly in today’s world marked by geopolitical tensions and mounting global challenges.” That sentiment was echoed by Peking University President Professor Gong Qi-Huang, who said that “academic cooperation and knowledge sharing between Chinese and American universities should continue regardless of global changes”.

The dialogue featured two panel discussions: “Defining the Role for Universities in Sustainable Development” and “Exploring Sino-US Models for University Collaboration”. These delved into the role of universities in advancing green research and technologies, fostering international collaboration to address climate change, and explored successful partnerships between Chinese and American universities.

CUHK has 60 years of ties with US academia. Today, CUHK’s student exchange partnerships with over 50 US universities facilitate cross-cultural learning experiences.

The officiating guests toast the guests Mr. Paul Chan Mo-po, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR, delivers a speech 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 in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, on behalf of Mr. Zheng Yanxiong, Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, present a commemorative gift to CUHK Council Chairman Professor Chai, and Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Rocky S. Tuan

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) held its 60th Anniversary Banquet on 10 December, bringing together over 2,000 CUHK students, staff, alumni, mainland and international partners, and friends to celebrate the institution’s achievements, culture and academic spirit.

The honorable Mr. Paul Chan Mo-Po, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR attended as the Guest of Honor. Mr. Chan delivered an address and congratulated the University on its diamond jubilee. Professor John Y. Chai, CUHK’s Council Chairman, and Professor Rocky S. Tuan, CUHK’s Vice-Chancellor and President, addressed the Banquet and spoke about CUHK’s history and its future development. Ms. Wu Cheng, Deputy Director General of the Department of Education and Science, of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government (LOCPG) in the HKSAR, attended the Banquet and presented a commemorative calligraphy from Mr. Zheng Yanxiong, Director of the LOCPG as a gift to the University.

CUHK officially launched its diamond jubilee celebrations in February 2023 at a major ceremony on campus which featured a drone performance, light projections, and cultural performances. The University’s celebrations feature over 120 events including concerts, international conferences, lectures and cultural exhibitions. The programmes will run to the end of the 2023-2024 academic year and more information is available at www.60.cuhk.edu.hk.