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Welcome to the 54th edition of CUHK in Focus.
CUHK is proud of its long-standing commitment to engaging with mainland partners and connecting closely to the world, as stated clearly in our founding mission. Last week, I was delighted to lead a delegation to Dongguan to attend the establishment ceremony of the Great Bay University – CUHK Joint Institute of Advanced Materials and Green Energy Research. The Joint Institute takes the long-term collaboration between CUHK and Great Bay University on promoting research and innovation to the next level, allowing us to give full play to our complementary advantages to serve the major needs and strategic goals of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) through talent recruitment and cultivation, collaborative research, and technological innovation. I am delighted to see the coming to fruition of our plan to construct an innovation and technology complex with world-class academic impact in the field of materials and energy.
Following the visit to Dongguan, the CUHK delegation headed to Zhongshan, where we had the honour to meet with the Vice Mayor, Mr Ouyang Jinquan, and other representatives of the Zhongshan People’s Government to explore opportunities for collaboration in nurturing innovative talents, promoting scientific research, technology transfer and entrepreneurship. We also paid a visit to the Zhongshan Life Science Park, which brings together cutting-edge research facilities, including a drug efficacy evaluation platform, an animal testing centre, as well as an isotope laboratory. With Hong Kong and Zhongshan being major education and research hubs in the GBA, we look forward to leveraging the unique geographical advantage and expertise of the two cities to contribute to the social and economic development of the country. We were impressed by the vibrant research and innovation landscapes of Dongguan and Zhongshan, and the trip presented a valuable opportunity to deepen cross-border collaborations. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to our mainland partners for their consistent trust and support.
Cultivating global connections
It gave me great pleasure to participate in the Global AI Forum jointly organised by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Times Higher Education last week. The Forum brought together academics, researchers and thought leaders from around the world to discuss the latest advancements in AI and the opportunities and potential challenges that might be presented for universities worldwide. I was honoured to be invited to moderate the plenary session on “AI for social good: Future proofing the world of tomorrow”, facilitating a fruitful discussion on how AI could pave the way for a more equitable and sustainable future, from improving healthcare access to tackling climate change and empowering marginalised communities. Over the years, CUHK has been playing a pioneering role in the field of AI, with prominent academic programmes earning global acclaim (8th in the AI category of the U.S. News & World Report’s Subject Rankings 2024-2025) and world-leading research and innovation achievements. As we enter a new era of AI in education, the Forum served as an enabling platform for fostering international connections and discussing actionable solutions to ensure responsible and inclusive adoption of advanced technology for the common good.
The Global University Presidents and Leaders Summit (GUPLS), organised by the Hong Kong Association for External Friendship and supported by the University Grants Committee and nine local universities, took place earlier this week, convening presidents and leaders of over 50 global universities to foster the exchange of knowledge in an era where global connectivity is becoming increasingly crucial. The significant gathering was attended by esteemed guests from the mainland and Hong Kong governments, including the Honorable John Lee Ka-chiu, Chief Executive of the HKSAR, and Mr Zheng Yanxiong, Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR. Drawing on my experience in research on stem cell science and regenerative medicine, I had the pleasure of chairing a session centred around the application of AI in meeting biomedical and societal challenges, where I exchanged views with fellow practitioners on pivotal issues facing the higher education sector and the evolving role of AI in different fields and its impact on global health and society. This event held significance for the promotion of global dialogue and underscored Hong Kong’s important role as an international hub for post-secondary education. I was proud to represent CUHK on this occasion to showcase the University’s dedication to cultivating global connections in support of realising Hong Kong’s aspiration to become an influential nexus for knowledge and innovation.
Alumni Homecoming Day
While CUHK is eager to strengthen strategic collaborations with national and international partners, fostering a sustained sense of belonging and pride among our alumni community is also high on our agenda. We celebrated this year’s Alumni Homecoming Day on 23 November 2024, bringing together alumni from different generations and their families back on campus to participate in a range of activities including thematic guided tours, a carnival and a handicraft market at the University Mall, talks and open houses at various Faculties and academic departments, and a whole lot more. Thanks to the dedication of colleagues of the Alumni Affairs Office, Colleges, Faculties and different units and departments, a record-breaking number of participants were able to immerse in the joyous vibe of reconnecting with old friends and reliving cherished memories at their alma mater. Taking part in the event for the last time in my capacity as the Vice-Chancellor and President, I was overwhelmed with mixed emotions. While feeling nostalgic about my seven-year journey at CUHK, I was grateful for the opportunity to gather with so many alumni who have helped to spread the impact of the University far and wide, and to show appreciation for their continued support.
In memory of dedicated benefactors
We are deeply saddened by the passing of three dedicated benefactors, supporters and advisors of the University: Dr Thomas Chen Tseng-tao (1995 Honorary Doctorate in Social Science and 2004 Honorary Fellow), Dr Lui Che-woo (2002 Honorary Doctorate in Social Science) and Mr Charlie Lee Chun-kee (2019 Honorary Fellow). These esteemed members of the CUHK community were prominent figures in Hong Kong who had made significant contributions across real estate, hospitality, logistics, as well as society and the world. They shared a steadfast belief that education is the cornerstone of national prosperity and demonstrated unwavering commitment to charitable initiatives that advanced education development in Hong Kong and beyond. CUHK is forever grateful for their staunch support and benevolence, which have enabled us to continuously enhance our education and research infrastructure. As we mourn in great sorrow the loss of the three philanthropists whose remarkable contributions to society and to CUHK will always be cherished, we extend our deepest condolences to their families during this time of grief. The legacy of our benefactors will assuredly continue to inspire our future generations.
Best wishes,
Professor Rocky S. Tuan
Vice-Chancellor and President
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
