Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in January last year, City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) and Nanjing University (NJU) recently signed another MoU to establish a strategic partnership in the field of carbon neutrality, further strengthening cooperation between the two universities.

On 21 January, a delegation led by Professor Tan Tieniu, Chair of the University CPC Council of NJU, visited CityUHK. They were warmly welcomed by Mr Michael Ngai, CityUHK Council Chairman; Professor Freddy Boey, CityUHK President and University Distinguished Professor; and Professor Anderson Shum Ho-cheung, Vice-President (Research).

Witnessed by President Boey and Professor Tan, Professor Zhang Hua, Herman Hu Chair Professor of Nanomaterials and Director of the Hong Kong Institute for Clean Energy (HKICE) of CityUHK, and Professor Zhao Liang, Deputy Director of the School of Sustainable Energy and Resources of NJU, signed the MoU to further enhance exchanges and cooperation in the field of carbon neutrality. The partnership aims to leverage the strengths and advantages of both institutions in scientific research, talent cultivation and carbon neutrality education management practices to promote the achievement of carbon neutrality goals in both regions.

The MoU aims to establish a strategic partnership mechanism to jointly promote the development of higher education, innovation and technology. Under the cooperation framework, both universities will collaborate in areas such as joint research, the application of research outcomes, and international exchanges. Additionally, they discussed and exchanged ideas on the joint construction of the State Key Laboratory.

President Boey expressed his delight at the establishment of a cooperative relationship between the HKICE and the School of Sustainable Energy and Resources of NJU, further promoting exciting and novel approaches to tackle public health challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration. He added that CityUHK will continue to promote interdisciplinary and innovative solutions to reduce carbon footprints and facilitate long-term ecological transformation.

The delegation from NJU included Professor Wang Xinran, Party Secretary and Executive Dean of the School of Integrated Circuits; Professor Wang Tingting, Vice Dean of the Medical School; Professor Sun Yang, from the School of History and Director of the Hong Kong Research Institute; and Ms Cai Dandan, Deputy Director of the Office of Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau Affairs.

Before the signing ceremony, the delegation held discussions with President Boey, Professor Shum and Professor Zhang.