President S. Joe Qin heads Lingnan delegation to Shenyang and Beijing to establish connections for academic exchanges

Prof S. Joe Qin, President and Wai Kee Kau Chair Professor of Data Science of Lingnan University, led a delegation to Shenyang and Beijing from 24 to 28 April. During the visit, they met with representatives from Northeastern University, the China Education Association for International Exchange, Peking University, Tsinghua University, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, and Beijing Technology and Business University. This visit strengthened the relationship between Lingnan University and its partner institutions, facilitating discussions on encouraging research cooperation, faculty and student exchange programmes, and talent development, laying a solid foundation for future collaboration between the institutions.

President Qin met Prof Feng Xiating, President of Northeastern University, on 25 April and had in-depth exchanges on the application of digitalisation and artificial intelligence in education. President Feng said that Lingnan University has leading practical experience in AI and big data applications, and expressed the hope that the two universities can strengthen exchanges and cooperation in this area.

President Qin met with Prof Liu Limin, President of the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE) on 26 April. President Liu gave an overview of the association and praised Lingnan University’s achievements, welcoming it to CEAIE, and suggesting Lingnan praise Hong Kong internationally. President Qin told Prof Liu about Lingnan’s history and latest developments, and expressed gratitude for his interest and support. 

Later on, President Qin saw Prof Gong Qihuang and Prof Fang Fang, President and Vice-President of Peking University respectively, and had dinner with Prof Wang Bo, Vice-President of Peking University. President Gong talked about the two universities’ close relationship, and acknowledged Lingnan's valuable experience in digital applications. He looks forward to increased cooperation between the two universities in cultivating talent, scientific research, and student and faculty exchanges. President Qin spoke of the progress of the Lingnan-Yuanpei STEM Summer Academy, jointly organised by Lingnan University and Yuanpei College of Peking University, and looks forward to further practical collaboration between the two universities in scientific research, digitalisation, and talent development.

President Qin then saw Prof Li Luming, President of Tsinghua University. President Li welcomed President Qin, an outstanding alumnus, on the 113th anniversary of Tsinghua's foundation. He said that the two universities would collaborate in student exchanges, talent cultivation, and other areas. Regarding digital practice, Tsinghua University will give each student an AI teaching assistant in the new semester and there is to be a College of Artificial Intelligence (College of AI). President Qin then described Lingnan's development strategies, the recent establishment of the Lingnan University Institute for Advanced Study, and the School of Data Science. He added that the two universities have a solid foundation for cooperation, which he hopes to broaden. 

President Qin also visited the Beijing University of Chemical Technology (BUCT), where he met with Prof Tan Tianwei and Prof Liang Yongtu, President and Vice-President of BUCT respectively; and Prof Guo Jianhua and Prof Mao Xinshu, President and Vice-President of Beijing Technology and Business University (BTBU) respectively.  President Qin spoke of Lingnan's latest developments and its unique liberal arts education, and both parties held in-depth exchanges on student cultivation and research collaboration, especially in data science, AI, and the humanities.

At BTBU, President Guo reviewed the recent close cooperation between the university and Lingnan on student exchanges and business-related programmes. He hopes for more teamwork in joint doctoral training programmes, as well as the application of digitisation in higher education. President Qin described Lingnan's latest developments, and his hopes of expanding exchanges and cooperation in several areas, especially in the practical application of AI technology in teaching and academia.

To promote and publicise Lingnan University, President Qin also delivered five cutting-edge presentations at Northeastern University, Tsinghua University, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, and Beijing Technology and Business University, which were received warmly by faculty and students. During his visit to the Department of Automation of Tsinghua University, he was appointed a Tsinghua University Distinguished Visiting Professor. 

President Qin and his delegation also met with Northeastern University’s Prof Chai Tianyou, Lingnan University's former Head of the Department of Chinese Prof Xu Zidong, renowned economist and Lingnan University Honorary Graduate of Social Sciences Prof Qian Yingyi, and the world-famous mathematician Prof Yau Shing-tung. President Qin talked about Lingnan University's century-long history, the features of a liberal arts education, and Lingnan’s latest developments and new initiatives for the digital era. 

This visit is one of Lingnan University's initiatives to promote integration, exchanges, and cooperation based on the national strategy and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Lingnan will continue to actively participate in and promote collaboration with Mainland higher education institutions, leveraging its international advantages to jointly create an education and talent hub. Members of the delegation included Ms Shen Tingting and Ms Zhou Mengya, Head and Senior Administrative Officer of the Office of Mainland Development respectively.