On 8 June 2024, some of our SEE faculty members, administrative and technical staff, postgraduate and undergraduate students, led by our Dean Prof. Kenneth Leung, travelled to Dongguan and visited the City University of Hong Kong (Dongguan), the Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory (SLAB), and the China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS). The expedition gave them an opportunity to visit the newly established and vibrant campus and explore the state-of-art research facilities.

CityU (Dongguan)’s establishment was approved by the Ministry of Education on 16 April 2024, it is destined to become a trailblazer in teaching, research, innovation and knowledge transfer. Building upon the exceptional strengths of CityUHK, including its acclaimed programs, global collaborations, and faculty expertise, it is committed to bringing CityUHK’s strengths to Chinese mainland, including its advanced management experience, internationalized educational concepts, outstanding research capabilities, and innovative teaching methods.

During the visit, we were privileged to embark on an enlightening guided tour of both the CSNS and the SLAB. These exceptional facilities serve as powerful platforms for fundamental scientific research and high-tech development across a multitude of application fields, including material science, life science, resource environment, and new energy, among others. With their immense potential, they are poised to become the epicenter of groundbreaking materials research and development, a cornerstone of China’s progressive materials research, and a glowing beacon of interdisciplinary cooperation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Heartfelt thanks to CityU (Dongguan)’s staff, especially Prof. Julie Li, the Associate Vice-President (Mainland Strategy), for graciously hosting us and making this visit an instructive and memorable experience.