HKUST(GZ) Signs Agreements with NTU and NUS
On April 1-2, 2025, a delegation led by Professor Wu Jingshen, Vice-President (Teaching & Learning) of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), embarked on a significant visit to Singapore. The delegation visited the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Singapore Management University (SMU) to explore new opportunities in collaboration and discussed paradigms shift in Sino-Singaporean higher education collaboration. Cooperative agreements were signed, and new collaborations aimed at creating international pathways for students were initiated.
The delegation includes Chair Professor Ng Tai Kai, Acting Head of Pillar of STEM Education, Professor Tang Kai, Thrust Head of Smart Manufacturing, Professor Chu Xiaowen, Thrust Head of Data Science and Analytics, Professor Wu Xun, Associate Dean of Society Hub, Dr. Ma Jinyuan, Associate Dean of College of Education Sciences and Mr. Fu Jing, Head of Global Affairs Department.
“This visit marks a new beginning in our collaboration with Singapore’s top universities,” said Professor Wu. “Singapore is a vibrant country of innovation. We look forward to expanding our cooperative scope and advancing educational paradigm reform and teaching innovation practices based on these agreements.”
At NTU, Professor Yang Yaowen, Associate Vice President (Lifelong Learning - Academic), and Professor Wu Jingshen signed a cooperative agreement on behalf of their respective universities. HKUST(GZ) will nominate outstanding undergraduate graduates to pursue master’s degrees at NTU. This agreement will also catalyze the development of a dual-supervisor system for doctoral students and offer more internship and exchange opportunities to leverage the complementary strengths of both universities.
At NUS, HKUST(GZ) signed a MOA with the School of Computing. The delegation engaged in discussions with Professor Chai Kah Hin, Associate Provost (Master’s Programmes and Lifeling Education), Professor Chan Mun Choon, Vice Dean for Graduate Studies of School of Computing and Professor Martin Lindsay Buist, Deputy Dean (Education) of College of Design and Engineering, to deepen collaborative efforts. In subsequent meetings with the Faculty of Science, consensus was reached with Professor Chew Fook Tim, Vice Dean of Undergraduate Studies to initiate undergraduate exchange programs, with both parties agreed to exchange cooperation documents and facilitate student visits.
During their visit to Singapore Management University (SMU), the delegation held talks with Professor Zhu Feida, Associate Dean of the School of Computing and Information Systems, Professor Zheng Baihua, Associate Dean of Graduate Research Programmes, and Professor Dai Bingtian, Director of the MITB (Artificial Intelligence) Programme. The discussions centered around student exchanges and internships, leading to a mutual agreement to expand cooperation further.
On April 2, Professor Wu and his delegation visited the Chinese Embassy in Singapore meeting Ambassador Cao Zhongming, accompanied by Minister Counselor (Education) Han Jun. Professor Wu conveyed greetings and gratitude from President Lionel M. Ni of HKUST(GZ) to Ambassador Cao, highlighting recent developments and accomplishments from the visit.
Ambassador Cao posited that HKUST(GZ) could play a more significant role in fostering Sino-Singaporean people-to-people exchanges within the context of bilateral governmental relations and the cooperation framework between Singapore and Guangdong province, by capitalizing on its unique strengths. In January 2024, President Lionel M. Ni had led a delegation to Belgium, when Cao was -Chinese Ambassador to Belgium. Following the Singapore visit, the delegation will continue their academic exchange in Australia.
