What messages did the leaders of HKUST(GZ) have for the inaugural undergraduate students during their first encounter?
On August 16th, the first batch of undergraduate students at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) participated in a significant meeting. The leaders of both HKUST and HKUST(GZ) warmly met with the students. Professor Nancy Y. IP, President of HKUST and Chairperson of the HKUST(GZ) Governing Board, and Professor Lionel M. NI, President of HKUST(GZ), encouraged the inaugural undergraduate students to pursue knowledge with dedication, foster a spirit of innovation, and strive to make even greater contributions to the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the nation.
This year marks a significant milestone in the development of HKUST(GZ) as it enrolls its first undergraduate students. It represents a tangible action taken by HKUST(GZ) in response to the national strategy for education and technological talent development, actively fostering the cultivation of exceptional and innovative talents. Operating within the framework of 'UNIFIED HKUST - COMPLEMENTARY CAMPUSES,' HKUST(GZ) has established itself as a high-caliber institution, celebrating its first year of operation. In this year's undergraduate admissions, HKUST(GZ) has successfully attracted high-quality students from four provinces in Mainland China (Guangdong, Sichuan, Shandong, Henan), as well as students from the Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan regions, and international students. On August 12th, nearly 140 undergraduate students arrived on campus, becoming the new residents of 'No.1 Duxue Road.' The university has organized a diverse range of orientation activities for them, including military training, evening galas, lectures, workshops, and more.
The first group of undergraduate students at HKUST(GZ) holds a special place in the hearts of both institutions' management. During the introductory meeting, all members of the management teams from both campuses were present. The HKUST management team includes President Professor Nancy Y. IP, Provost Professor Yike GUO, Vice-President for Administration and Business Professor Ting Chuen PONG, Vice-President for Research and Development Professor Tim Kwang Ting CHENG, Vice-President for Institutional Advancement Professor Yang WANG, and Associate Vice-President (Planning & Coordination) Mr. Ernest CHAN. The HKUST(GZ) management team comprises President Professor Lionel M. Ni, Vice-President (Teaching & Learning) Professor Jingshen WU, Vice-President (Graduate Support) Professor Charles NG, Special Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of the President Dr. Bin LI, and Associate Vice-President (Research) Professor Kaishun WU.
President Lionel M. Ni presided over the meeting, extending a warm welcome to the presence of the HKUST management team. Seeing the energetic and vibrant smiles on the faces of the students, President Lionel M. Ni highly praised the spirit of the undergraduate students. "In just two days of military training, I am delighted to witness your footsteps becoming more resolute and orderly," President Lionel M. Ni expressed. He had just delivered a motivational speech at the military training mobilization meeting for the undergraduate students yesterday. He expressed gratitude to all the students for choosing HKUST(GZ). He hoped that the new students would always remember that HKUST(GZ) not only inherits the "innovation" gene of HKUST but also carries the "patriotism" gene of HKUST. He encouraged the students to have lofty aspirations, embrace innovation, and contribute to the nation by solving more challenging scientific problems.
Professor Nancy Y. IP, President of HKUST and Chairperson of the HKUST(GZ) Governing Board, delivered a speech to our undergraduate students. She emphasized that HKUST(GZ) is a culmination of the hard work and dedication of the HKUST community, and she expressed her hope that the educational philosophy, culture, and academic atmosphere of HKUST can be nurtured and expanded on the Guangzhou campus. "We look forward to welcoming you to HKUST in the future and facilitating exchanges with our teachers and students at Clear Water Bay," she added.
Both presidents emphasized that within the framework of "UNIFIED HKUST - COMPLEMENTARY CAMPUSES," the two universities will strengthen cooperation and synergy to make significant contributions to the development of the Greater Bay Area and the nation in education, research, and knowledge transfer. After the conclusion of the undergraduate student meeting, the management teams of both universities convened a joint meeting to discuss crucial matters regarding the coordinated development of the two campuses.
During this meeting, the management teams of both universities reached a consensus on the importance of establishing a more flexible mechanism. The goal is to provide students from both campuses with enriched resources and support, as well as a diverse learning experience, thereby fully harnessing the advantages of "UNIFIED HKUST - COMPLEMENTARY CAMPUSES."
According to the information provided, it has been disclosed that a regular joint meeting between the management teams of HKUST(GZ) and HKUST has been established, following a fixed mechanism. These meetings are held on a monthly basis, taking turns between the two campuses.
