City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) and Southeast University have entered a new phase of academic collaboration. Professor Sun Youhong, President of Southeast University, led a delegation to visit CityUHK earlier for discussions with President Freddy Boey and the University management team, including Professor Li Wen Jung, Vice President (Talent and International Strategy), Professor Chan Chi-hou, Vice President (Communication Engagement), and Professor Lin Fen, Associate Vice President (Global Strategy). The two sides conducted in-depth discussions on strengthening academic exchanges and establishing joint research centres and signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs).

In his welcome speech, President Boey stated that CityUHK has been actively promoting internationalisation and innovation entrepreneurship development. It has been recognised as the “Most International University in the World” by Times Higher Education (THE) for two consecutive years, highlighting the University’s leading position in the global higher-education landscape.

“This honour not only affirms CityUHK’s past efforts, but also motivates us to continue to solidify Hong Kong’s important role as an international education hub,” said President Boey. He added that he looks forward to deepening cooperation with Southeast University to nurture more future-oriented innovative talent.

During the discussions, President Boey and Professor Sun jointly signed an MoU and witnessed the signing of another agreement between Professor Lu Jian, Dean of the College of Engineering at CityUHK, and Professor Guo Tong, Dean of the School of Civil Engineering at Southeast University. According to the agreement, the two parties will establish joint research centres in fields such as engineering, architecture and civil engineering to promote collaborative development of cutting-edge scientific research.

Also participating in the discussions were Professor Lu Yi and Professor Lu Guoyang, Southeast University alumni who are currently CityUHK professors in the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering. Professor Lu was named a “Highly Cited Researcher 2024” by Clarivate, the only scholar from CityUHK selected in the social sciences field.

CityUHK’s College of Engineering has achieved remarkable academic and research excellence, boasting 17 of Clarivate “Highly Cited Researchers” and 113 scholars listed among the “World’s Top 2% Most-cited Scientists”, both of which are the highest numbers among CityUHK faculties.

A top university in Mainland China with a rich history, Southeast University traces its origins back to the Sanjiang Normal School, founded in 1902. It is now a national “Double First Class” institution, ranking 15th in the 2023 ShanghaiRanking, with disciplines such as architecture, civil engineering and electronic engineering consistently ranking among the top three in the Country.

This visit by the Southeast University delegation further solidified the partnership between the two universities and laid a solid foundation for broader interdisciplinary collaboration in the future.