Over 30 Diplomats Celebrate Lantern Festival at HKUST(GZ)
On 12th Feb, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) welcomed over 30 diplomats from nearly 20 countries for a vibrant celebration of the Lantern Festival, hosted by Professor Lionel M. NI, the university’s founding president.
The event brought together university leaders, leading faculty members and international staff representatives to enjoy traditional sweet dumplings, engage in discussions on collaboration, and appreciate musical performances by students and staff.
In his opening remarks, President Lionel NI warmly welcomed the diplomats and expressed his gratitude for their invaluable support in advancing the internationalization efforts of HKUST(GZ) over the past year. He acknowledged their key roles in recruiting high-level talent and enhancing international student admissions.
President NI highlighted the evolving landscape of higher education, driven by technological advancements such as artificial intelligence, which demands a shift in educational paradigms. He emphasized the university’s commitment to cross-disciplinary innovative education and called upon diplomats to continue fostering talent exchanges and joint research initiatives, propelling HKUST(GZ) toward its goal of becoming a world-leading research institution.
This Chinese New Year Reception, a flagship event for the university’s local internationalization, was held for the second time since last year. Attendees included acting Consul General Jana LUDWIG of Germany, Consul General Alex Goldman SHAYMAN of Israel, Consul General Yoshiko KIJIMA of Japan, Consul General Bharat KHANAL of Nepal, Consul General Ruben ESPINOZA RAYMONDI of Peru, Consul General Tomás AZEVEDO of Portugal, Consul General Cindy WEE of Singapore, acting Consul General Osman HASSAN of Sudan, and diplomats from the consulate-generals of Belgium, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Russia, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Zambia in Guangzhou.
University leaders such as Professor Shaobing QU, Secretary of the CPC HKUST(GZ) Committee, Professor Ting Chuen PONG, Vice-President (Administration & Business), Professor Kaishun WU, Associate Vice President (Research), Professor Hui XIONG, Associate Vice President (Knowledge Transfer), Professor Yang YANG, Associate Vice President (Teaching & Learning), Professor Weijia WEN, Dean of Function Hub, Professor Lei CHEN, Dean of Information Hub, and Professor Ye QI, Acting Dean of Society Hub, alongside over 100 Chinese and foreign guests from various departments and academic fields, attended the event.
The diplomats delivered guest addresses, commending HKUST(GZ) for its modern campus, international vision, and commitment to interdisciplinary education. Ms. Jana LUDWIG highlighted the strong educational ties between Germany and China, noting the significance of initiatives like the PLACE Language and Culture Summer Camp, which benefits students from both countries. Ms. Yoshiko KIJIMA emphasized the role of research universities in China’s modernization, and Mr. Ruben ESPINOZA RAYMONDI expressed hopes for enhanced collaboration between Peru and innovative Chinese institutions. Acting Consul General Osman HASSAN recognized the contributions of Sudanese students studying in China, who serve as cultural ambassadors upon their return home.
The event also featured a campus tour, where diplomats expressed keen interest in the university's state-of-the-art facilities, including the Materials Characterization and Preparation Facility (GZ) and the Highbay. The evening concluded with captivating performances of traditional Chinese music, which left guests in awe.
