Cornell University President Visits HKUST(GZ)

Professor Michael I. Kotlikoff, President of Cornell University, visited The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) (HKUST(GZ)), on November 6, on a trip designed to build deep mutual understanding and explore collaboration opportunities.

Prior to a meeting with Professor Lionel M. Ni, President of HKUST(GZ) and other senior leaders, the Cornell delegation went on a campus tour guided by Professor Ricky Shi-Wei Lee, Vice-President for Research at HKUST(GZ), with stops at the Visitor Information Center, Bio-inspired Engineering Research Facility (BIO-IERF) and Biosciences Central Research Facility (GZ) (BioCRF).

Cornell delegation poses for a group photo at BioCRF.
Cornell delegation poses for a group photo at BIO-IERF.

President Ni, extending warm welcome to the visitors during the senior leadership meeting, provided a comprehensive overview of HKUST(GZ)’s history, its innovative interdisciplinary model and faculty expertise.

“HKUST(GZ) is committed to promoting interdisciplinary education, enhancing student-centered teaching practices, and fostering collaborations between academia and industry to cultivate high-level academic talent for the future, thereby establishing a global knowledge innovation center,” he said.

President Ni also highlighted the progress of the university’s second-phase construction and ongoing international collaborations.

President Ni speaks during the meeting.

In his remarks, President Kotlikoff expressed gratitude for the warm reception from HKUST(GZ). Cornell University has long been dedicated to diverse initiatives in the realm of interdisciplinary studies, he said.

President Kotlikoff continued to introduce Cornell’s “Global Hubs” strategy, which aims to establish cooperative ties with more institutions worldwide. Noting the century-long history of collaboration between Cornell and China, Kotlikoff emphasized the strong partnership with HKUST and expressed his hope to explore new avenues for collaboration with HKUST(GZ).

President Kotlikoff speaks during the meeting.

Following the meeting, Vice-President (Research) Professor Ricky Lee provided an in-depth overview of the university’s research endeavors, including the central laboratories, joint laboratories, and research institution developments.

Professor Ricky Lee introduces university’s scientific research.
The visiting Cornell University and HKUST(GZ) participants at a senior-leadership meeting pose for a group photo.
Release date
07 Nov 2025
TOPICS
Cooperation
Share to