President of HKUST (GZ) Meets with UK Department for Transport Delegation
On May 22, Professor Lionel Ni, President of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), welcomed a delegation from the UK Department for Transport, led by Jo Shanmugalingam, the Second Permanent Secretary, alongside Sarah Mann, the British Consul General in Guangzhou. The meeting focused on discussions and exchanges related to the university’s initiatives in intelligent transportation and the low-altitude economy.
Joining the meeting were Professor Ting Chuen Pong, Vice President for Administration and Business; Professor Lei Chen, Dean of Information Hub; Professor Liuqing Yang, Thrust Head of Thrust of Intelligent Transportation and Acting Director of Low Altitude Systems and Economy Research Institute (LASERi); and Jing Fu, Head of Global Affairs Department.
During the meeting, President Ni provided an overview of the university’s advancements since its establishment, emphasizing its commitment to a transformative interdisciplinary approach to education, a new paradigm of talent cultivation, and the promotion of inclusive and open international collaboration. He welcomed the UK delegation, noting the successful bilateral exchanges between HKUST(GZ) and various UK universities and institutions. President Ni expressed his hope to deepen cooperation by establishing a stable and mutually beneficial means of communication to enhance collaboration in higher education.
Professor Liuqing Yang introduced the curriculum, faculty strength, and research initiatives within the intelligent transportation domain, particularly highlighting 25 seed projects from LASERi, as well as the institute’s partnerships with businesses and its international expansion efforts.
In her remarks, Ms. Shanmugalingam was impressed by the rapid development of HKUST(GZ), stating that she was glad to choose the university as the final stop on her Guangzhou visit. She expressed a keen interest in advancing practical cooperation in research, talent exchange, and knowledge transfer within the field of intelligent transportation. The two parties engaged in in-depth discussions on these relevant topics.
Following the meeting, Professor Pong led the delegation on a tour of the Seamless Connectivity and Connected Intelligence Center, and Transportation Behavioral and Safety Lab, where Professors Xinhu Zheng and Dengbo He introduced the facilities and demonstrated drone operations.
