HKUST(GZ) host the China-EU Higher-Education Roundtable at the headquarters of the European Union
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) and the Belgian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce (BCECC) co-organized the China-EU Higher-Education Roundtable in Brussels on January 25.
Over 30 thought leaders from universities and institutions shared their insights on how to reshape the ecosystem of a research university for knowledge creation against the changing global backdrop. The roundtable was chaired by Bernard DEWIT, the Chairman of the Belgian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
Professor Lionel M. NI, President of HKUST(GZ), delivered a welcome speech. He expressed that Europe is renowned for its long history of universities and outstanding academic traditions, while China's higher education sector is rapidly developing. Research-oriented universities in China and Europe play a crucial role in facilitating the bi-directional flow of knowledge and talent to address global challenges.
"In the context of China and Europe preparing to restart their people-to-people exchange mechanisms, this academic exchange activity, where our university and European partners jointly discuss and develop agendas and topics, holds great significance," said President NI.
President NI pointed out that as a young university committed to innovation and the pursuit of excellence, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) recognizes the importance of interdisciplinary integration and diverse perspectives. Furthermore, the university is aware of how crucial it is in the new era to creatively engage stakeholders and collaborate with research-oriented universities in shaping the university ecosystem. Therefore, he expressed gratitude to our European friends for their support to The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou). The outcomes of the roundtable will provide valuable insights for the university's future development in a more innovative and inclusive manner.
The subsequent roundtable discussion was filled with fascinating insights. The distinguished guests first shared their perspectives and comments on the role universities play in addressing complex global challenges amidst the rapid advancements of the technological revolution and the profound geopolitical changes.
George KYRTSOS, Member of the European Parliament, highlighted that this Higher-Education Roundtable, along with other initiatives promoting collaboration in higher education, would contribute to enhancing the level of cooperation and driving innovative development between the two sides.
The consensus among everyone is the need for collaborative efforts in tackling global challenges. However, what are the barriers hindering global higher education cooperation, and how can we deepen this cooperation to achieve mutual benefits between Chinese and European universities?
Luc TAERWE, Director of the East Asia Platform at Ghent University, believes that universities should refrain from taking political stances and viewpoints. He emphasized the vital importance of international exchanges in the convergence of culture and economy. He encouraged collaboration with China and other countries to foster mutual understanding and eliminate common misconceptions that often arise in discussions.
As an emerging research-oriented university, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) has a pivotal role to play as the "engine" in supporting the development of the comprehensive national scientific center in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Regarding how to creatively attract various forces to collaborate with research-oriented universities and develop new "Silicon Valley" models, the attending guests also shared their viewpoints, drawing insights from the "European experience."
Frank BOSTYN, Professor of the Department of Management at the University of Antwerp, pointed out that universities should prioritize applied research and recognize the significant shift from technology to value creation. He stressed the importance of collaboration between universities and the business sector, yet noted that such collaborations often lack depth and information sharing, hindering the effective transfer of research outcomes into value creation. Additionally, traditional universities need to adjust their incentive and evaluation systems to stimulate cross-disciplinary collaboration and innovation. Faced with a rapidly changing world, universities encounter various complex challenges in the adaptation process, making it crucial to address internal policies, governance structures, and international cooperation.
Panayiotis TSANAKAS, Director of the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the National Technical University of Athens, believes that traditional universities are facing significant challenges in the face of ongoing technological changes. Currently, large tech companies prioritize practical skills when recruiting employees, rather than solely focusing on their educational background. Therefore, in order to meet the evolving needs of students and industries, universities should innovate in curriculum design to make it more innovative, attractive, and motivating for students.
In his concluding remarks at the end of the roundtable conference, Bernard Dewit, Chairman of BCECC, emphasized that both China and Europe face continuous challenges and should actively call for multi-party cooperation to find collective solutions. The roundtable brought together guests from various fields, and their insightful speeches were captivating, particularly President NI's unique perspectives on universities and interdisciplinary innovation garnered widespread attention. Dewit also expressed his anticipation that, through the joint efforts of China and Europe, the China-EU Higher-Education Roundtable could become an annual event and expressed hopes to host this significant China-EU people-to-people exchange activity once again on the campus of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) in the future.
After the roundtable, up to 100 guests attended the HKUST(GZ) New Year Reception. Tao MA, Minister-Counselor of the Chinese Mission to the European Union, attended the reception and delivered a speech. The reception was hosted by Prof. Yang YANG, Associate Vice-President (Teaching & Learning) of HKUST(GZ).
During the reception, President NI presented a honorary professorship to Bernard Dewit, Chairman of BCECC.
Prof. Weijia WEN, Dean of the Function Hub at HKUST(GZ), along with Jing FU, Head of the Global Affairs Department, and Wenchao ZHANG, Deputy Head of the Talent Services Department, attended both the roundtable and the New Year Reception.
