HKUST (GZ) Fosters Connections in Germany
After concluding visits to Italy and Greece, Professor Lionel M. Ni, President of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), led the delegation to Germany from October 5 to 8.
The delegation co-hosted the China-Europe Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum and a Global Talent Fair in Frankfurt, aimed at promoting people-to-people exchanges between China, Europe, and Germany, while continuing to attract high-level talents.
The delegation also visited renowned universities and international high school in Germany to expand international undergraduate student recruitment and summer camp programs, as well as to identify academic talent and student exchange opportunities.
Participants included Professor Hui Xiong, Associate Vice President (Knowledge Transfer); Professor Weijia Wen, Dean of the Function Hub; Professor Ye Qi, Acting Dean of the Society Hub; Professor Jiang Xu, Thrust Head of Microelectronics; Professor Shuncheng Lee, Acting Thrust Head of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences; Dr. Yu Huang, head of Integrative Administration Department, and Mr. Jing Fu, Head of Global Affairs Department.
On October 5, HKUST (GZ) and the Global Development Promotion Center of the China International Development Cooperation Agency co-hosted the China-Europe Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum in Frankfurt.
Themed Reshaping Sharing Best Practices in Higher Education to Nurture Tomorrow’s Innovators, the event attracted nearly 100 entrepreneurs, scholars, industry leaders, and experts from countries including China, Germany, France, the UK, Belgium, Spain, and Switzerland, who shared best practices in higher education and innovation. The forum received strong support from the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China and China-Europe Association for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
In his opening remarks, President Ni highlighted his two visits to Europe this year, focusing on enhancing cooperation between German and other European institutions with HKUST (GZ) and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, promoting knowledge and talent flow, and facilitating youth interactions and cultural exchange.
Mr. Yiyang Huang, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Frankfurt, emphasized the importance of cooperation in higher education and technological innovation between China and Europe, noting the immense potential in these areas.
Professor Christian Landau, Vice President Degree Programmes of Frankfurt School of Finance & Management and Mr. Hao Wu, Department Head of the Global Development Promotion Center, also delivered speeches.
Professor Hui Xiong presented on collaborative efforts with the government to develop an innovation zone around HKUST (GZ) and introduced new initiatives for regional innovation ecosystems. Professor Alon Rozen, Dean of École des Ponts Business School, shared successful cases of Sino-French technological cooperation.
A roundtable discussion was moderated by Professor Frank Bostyn from the University of Antwerp and researcher scientist Adela García Aracil from the Spanish Council for Scientific Research, Dr. Angela Kurtz, Director of Student Life Cycle & International Affairs of Zeppelin University, Dr. Zhiwei Song, President of China-Europe Association for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Professor Weijia Wen, Dean of the Function Hub of HKUST (GZ) and other leaders had engaged in dialogue about international collaboration on innovation and entrepreneurship.
On October 6, the delegation held a Global Talent Fair in Frankfurt, which attracted over 50 PhD and postdoctoral candidates from prestigious German institutions such as Heidelberg University and Darmstadt University of Technology. Participants expressed their interest in research and teaching opportunities at HKUST (Guangzhou).
On October 7, the delegation visited Gymnasium Riedberg Frankfurt, meeting with Principal Helmut Kühnberger and touring the campus. The school had previously sent students to participate in the PLACE summer camp held by HKUST (GZ) in August. Principal Kühnberger expressed the school’s expectation to broaden students’ international perspectives and hoped to send more students to China for exchange programs. President Ni warmly welcomed this initiative and anticipated more outstanding international students at HKUST (GZ).
On October 8, the delegation visited the Technical University of Munich (TUM), a leading research university in Europe. The delegation first visited TUM Think Tank, where Professor Markus Siewert discussed its research priorities. Professor Florian Egli highlighted recent projects related to biodiversity and climate change. Professor Hui Xiong introduced HKUST (GZ) and the purpose of their visit, while Professor Ye Qi presented the unique domains of the Society Hub and plans for think tank development.
Later, the delegation engaged in academic discussions with Professor Angela Schoellig and her team, who presented their research in learning systems and robotics, addressing challenges in unstructured and dynamic environments.
Dr. Harald Olk, Director of TUM Global & Alumni Office, introduced TUM’s innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives and expressed intention for enhanced collaboration with HKUST (GZ).
During the visits in Italy, Greece and Germany, the HKUST (GZ) delegation signed cooperation agreements with institutions such as Politecnico di Milano and University of Patras, achieving consensus on collaboration with organizations of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, TUM, the University of Bologna, and the National Technical University of Athens.
The delegation also hosted multiple global talent fairs and engaged with overseas consulates. President Ni’s intensive visits to three European countries coincided with the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and produced a series of practical outcomes.
