HKUST(GZ) and NKUA Ink Two Cooperation Agreements
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) (HKUST(GZ)) has signed two formal cooperation agreements with the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), during a reciprocal visit by an NKUA delegation led by Professor Sophia Papaioannou, Vice Rector of Academic Affairs, International Relations and Outreach of NKUA from March 12 to 17.
The two pacts include the Student Exchange Agreement and the Red Bird MPhil Program Students Nomination Agreement. The delegation also paid a visit to The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) during the trip.
Professor Jingshen Wu, Vice-President (Teaching & Learning) of HKUST(GZ) and Professor Ting Chuen Pong, Vice-President (Administration & Business) of HKUST(GZ), warmly received the delegation and held in-depth discussions with the visiting team.
The NKUA delegation was joined by Professor Andreas Papandreou, a distinguished scholar in climate change and sustainable development, and Professor Amalia D. Karagouni, Professor of Microbiology at NKUA.
This marks the first senior leadership reciprocal visit from NKUA since HKUST(GZ) President Professor Lionel M. Ni led a delegation to the university in October 2024, and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two institutions in July 2025.
Professor Jingshen Wu briefed the delegation on HKUST(GZ)’s innovative educational philosophy and practices. He noted that HKUST(GZ) adheres to a student-centered core philosophy and is committed to building a world-class research university. Professor Wu also highlighted the University’s pioneering interdisciplinary education achievements, especially the application of interdisciplinary cohort-based project learning in the Red Bird MSc Program to advance innovative upgrades in talent development models.
Professor Ting Chuen Pong remarked that the signing of the two agreements, facilitated by this visit, is only the start of an in-depth partnership between the two universities. He expressed his expectation for deeper faculty-to-faculty collaboration, including the establishment of a two-way visiting scholar mechanism. HKUST(GZ) will fully support faculty members from both institutions to translate dialogue and consensus into tangible collaborative projects, and to carry out joint research initiatives across a wide spectrum of fields.
Professor Sophia Papaioannou spoke highly of HKUST(GZ)’s innovative education model and said the visit yielded extremely fruitful outcomes. She expressed her hope that the implementation of the two agreements will enable outstanding NKUA students to serve as goodwill envoys between the two universities, encourage more students from Athens to apply to HKUST(GZ), and create more valuable opportunities for mutual learning, academic exchange, and research collaboration between faculty and students of both institutions in the future.
