Zhejiang University delegation visits Hong Kong and Macao

From June 25 to 30, DU Jiangfeng, president of Zhejiang University, led a delegation to visit Hong Kong and Macao. On their visit, they attended the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) 27th Annual Presidents’ Meeting and Zhejiang University Appreciation Dinner, visited the Macao Special Administrative Region government and the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region, renewed the cooperation agreement with the University of Macau, and called on alumni and related people who have long supported the development of Zhejiang University.

On June 25-27, DU Jiangfeng attended APRU 27th Annual Presidents’ Meeting hosted by the University of Hong Kong. This meeting brought together over 140 distinguished guests from 51 universities. Themed “From Invention to Implementation – Solutions for a Sustainable Future”, it focused on innovative ideas and strategies to achieve goals, including carbon neutrality and the adoption of green technologies, through concerted efforts.

DU Jiangfeng met with Gene Block, Chancellor of UCLA and Chair of APRU, Mark Scott, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Sydney, and ZHANG Xiang, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Hong Kong. DU Jiangfeng interacted with them on strengthening international talent training and top-notch research innovation. They reached a consensus that much emphasis should be laid on enhancing exchanges among young students, deepening understanding of different cultures, and cultivating global leaders. DU Jiangfeng also had friendly conversations with the presidents of Keio University,Simon Fraser University, Nanyang Technological University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong. They discussed opportunities for cooperation with the common vision of sustainable development.

During their stay in Hong Kong, DU Jiangfeng and his delegation paid a special visit to Mr. Ronald K. Y. Chao, Zhejiang University Council Member and Vice-President of Novel Corp., Ms. Karen Cheung, Zhejiang University Council Member and the Trustee and Chief Strategist of the D. H. Chen Foundation, Mr. Tung Chee-chen, Chair of the Zhejiang University (Hong Kong) Education Foundation and Chair of the Tung Foundation, and Ronnie Chan Chi-chung, Chair of the Morningside Foundation.

Zhejiang University held a special banquet in appreciation of generous support from donors, the Hong Kong Alumni Association, distinguished alumni, and the Hangzhou Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong. DU Jiangfeng expressed his heartfelt gratitude to distinguished individuals from all walks of life and alumni for their unswerving support of the University. The banquet was chaired by HUANG Xianhai, Vice President of Zhejiang University.

On the morning of June 29, DU Jiangfeng paid a visit to Ho Iat Seng, Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region. Ho Iat Seng hoped that the universities in Zhejiang and Macao, including Zhejiang University, would continue to deepen cooperation and exchanges in medicine as well as information technology and management so as to assist Macao in cultivating more professionals tailored for industrial development. DU Jiangfeng expressed his appreciation of the historic achievement Macao made in the implementation of “one country, two systems”. He expressed the University’s willingness to maintain close contact with Macao, engage actively in the moderate economic diversification of Macao, and deepen cooperation in talent cultivation, scientific research and technological translation.

On the afternoon of June 29, DU Jiangfeng met with YAN Zhichan, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao Special Administrative. YAN Zhichan expected Zhejiang University to bring into full play its disciplinary advantages, dovetail actively with the diversified development of Macao’s industries and continue to promote practical cooperation, thereby making greater contributions to Macao’s long-term prosperity and stability. “Zhejiang University attaches great importance to its partnership with Macao. We will take the initiative in serving the national strategy, give full play to our own assets, and continue to explore cooperation pathways and cement ties with the University of Macau and other partners, thereby training more high-caliber talents for Macao.

On June 30, DU Jiangfeng and his delegation visited the State Key Laboratory of Internet of Things for Smart City, the Institute of Applied Physics and Materials Engineering, and Cheng Yu Tung College at the University of Macau. The two sides renewed the Memorandum of Understanding on Education and Science Cooperation and the Agreement on Student Exchanges with a view to strengthening academic exchanges and scientific cooperation and providing students with more exchange and learning opportunities. DU Jiangfeng expected the two universities to deepen cooperation in talent cultivation and scientific research, particularly in the fields of biomedicine, new materials and marine research. SONG Yonghua, Rector of University of Macau, looked forward to expanding the scope of cooperation and promoting the level of cooperation with Zhejiang University, thus making joint contributions to the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and national development.

During the stay in Macau, Du Jiangfeng paid a visit to Ho Teng Lat, President of the Macau Association of Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai, as well as a standing committee member of the All-China Women’s Federation. He also had a friendly exchange with representatives of the Zhejiang University Alumni Association in Macau.