Agreements with Four European Universities Inked
Following visits to the United Kingdom and France, Professor Lionel Ni, President of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) (HKUST(GZ)), led a delegation to Spain, Serbia, North Macedonia and Türkiye from September 25 to October 2.
In the four countries the delegation met the leadership of leading universities and signed cooperation agreements, and paid visits to Mr. Ming Li, Chinese Ambassador to Serbia, Ms. Xiaoyan Jiang, Chinese Ambassador to North Macedonia, and Ms. Yuhong Meng, Consul General of China in Barcelona.
Spain
On September 25, the delegation arrived in Barcelona and visited the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), a leading science and technology university in Spain. President Ni met with Professor Francesc Torres, Rector of UPC, Professor Pedro Díez Mejía, Vice-Rector for Research, and faculty representatives.
The two universities signed a framework cooperation agreement and a student exchange agreement. Strongly aligned in AI-integrated education, industry–academia collaboration and faculty–student exchange, the two sides will prioritise student exchange, advance interdisciplinary research collaboration, and agreed to elevate the partnership to a strategic level as soon as possible.
That same day, President Ni attended a gathering hosted for the delegation by Consul General Yuhong Meng. President Ni said internationalisation is a core strategy of the University, and hoped to use the Consulate General’s platform to bring more exchange and cooperation initiatives to fruition. Ms. Meng supported HKUST(GZ)’s cooperation with Spain and deepening bilateral people-to-people exchanges.
Serbia
On the morning of September 28, the delegation visited the University of Novi Sad, signing a memorandum of understanding with Rector Professor Dejan Madić. The two sides agreed to prioritise student exchange, explore participation in the Erasmus programme through the university’s networks, and reached consensus on young-scientist exchange, interdisciplinary research and industry collaboration.
President Ni called on Mr. Ming Li, Chinese Ambassador to Serbia, and delivered a lecture on artificial intelligence literacy for diplomats. Ambassador Li affirmed the University’s strengths in interdisciplinary education and looked forward to its contribution of scientific and educational strength to the China–Serbia comprehensive strategic partnership.
North Macedonia
From September 29 to 30, President Ni’s delegation conducted exchanges in North Macedonia, meeting with Ambassador Xiaoyan Jiang. On September 29, Ambassador Jiang and President Ni together called on Academician Ljupčo Kocarev, former President of the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts. Ambassador Jiang hosted an exchange event at which the delegation held discussions with representatives of North Macedonian scientific and academic circles.
On September 30, the delegation visited Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, where President Ni signed a student exchange agreement with Rector Professor Biljana Angelova, witnessed by Ambassador Jiang. The two sides will carry out student exchanges, broaden academic channels, and hold practical discussions on joint research and talent development.
President Ni thanked the Embassy for supporting the University’s international exchanges and highlighted outcomes such as the visit of a North Macedonian journalists’ delegation and North Macedonian students’ participation in the University’s summer camp. He said HKUST(GZ) will continue to deepen youth exchange and cultivate high-level talent for North Macedonia. President Ni also delivered a lecture on AI literacy for the Embassy’s young diplomats.
Türkiye
On October 2, the delegation visited the final stop of the tour, Koç University in Istanbul. President Ni met with Professor Funda Acar Yağcı, Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Professor Hakan Ürey, Vice President of Research and Innovation. The two sides signed a student exchange agreement and discussed priority cooperation areas related to the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) to be held in Antalya.
The delegation also included Professor Lei Chen, Dean of the Information Hub, Professor Robert Qi, Acting Dean of the Systems Hub, Professor Huihe Qiu, Thrust Head of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Thrust; Professor Kai Tang, Thrust Head of the Smart Manufacturing Thrust; Professor Kejun Jiang, Thrust Head of the Carbon Neutrality and Climate Change Thrust; Professor Pan Hui, Acting Thrust Head of the Computational Media and Arts Thrust; Professor Tai Kai Ng, Pillar Head of the STEM Education Pillar; Professor Mingming Fan, Acting Base Head of the Red Bird MPhil Base; Professor Kang Zhang, Thrust of Computational Media and Arts, Assistant Professor Oncay Yasa from Systems Hub and Mr. Jing Fu, Head of the Global Affairs Department.
