Lingnan University Creative and Cultural Innovation Research Institute (Shenzhen Qianhai) will drive cultural and creative industries

An important area for the national 14th Five-Year Plan, Qianhai’s infrastructure has developed rapidly. In just a few years, and despite the pandemic, it has been transformed from a small town into a modern city.

 

 

"The speed of development has been astonishing - for example, eight subway lines have been built in just three years, and there are modern buildings similar to the IFC in Hong Kong," Prof Joshua Mok Ka-ho, Vice-President of Lingnan University, said.

 

"In an international metropolis such as New York, London or Hong Kong, in addition to finance and commerce, the arts, and cultural and creative industries are indispensable," he added, pointing out that a world-class curatorial and exhibition centre is being built near Bao'an International Airport, and initiatives promoting the development of the cultural and creative industries are also in place. "Now that Qianhai has provided the ‘hardware’ and the vision, it’s time for Hong Kong and Lingnan University to give full play to their strengths in supplying the ‘software’."

 

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LU delegates, led by President Leonard K Cheng, visited Qianhai and attended the plaque unveiling ceremony for the establishment of the Lingnan University Creative and Cultural Innovation Research Institute (Shenzhen Qianhai) on 30 March.

 

LU and the Authority of Qianhai have agreed to establish the Lingnan University Creative and Cultural Innovation Research Institute (Shenzhen Qianhai), introducing a Qianhai-based think tank to research the cultural and creative industries and youth development in the Greater Bay Area, and set up the Qianhai School of Graduate Studies to educate professionals.

 

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Mr Wang Jinxia (left), Deputy Director-General of the Qianhai Authority, and Prof Joshua Mok Ka-ho, Vice-President of LU and signed the strategic cooperation agreement for the establishment of the new research institute.

 

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According to the Framework Agreement, the Institute will launch a first five-year plan to promote innovation and development in the cultural and creative industries, nurturing talent, and sharing research finding to meet Qianhai’s need. 

 

"The collaboration can actually fulfil the needs of Qianhai's development, and combine the strengths of Lingnan University," Prof Mok explained, “and the think tank will also act as a platform for teenagers to brainstorm.” Through summer internships and exchanges, Hong Kong students can strengthen their connections with local cultural and creative enterprises, and holding large recruitment fairs in Qianhai will encourage them to embark on a career there.

 

In terms of human resource development, the collaboration will nurture all-round talents and offer short-term certificate courses in fashion design, advertising, cultural creativity and city, cultural education and new media, as well as taught postgraduate programmes in these categories to ensure the continuous and abundant supply of able graduates for the cultural and creative industries.

 

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The partnership drew attention of local and mainland media.

 

"In addition to our strengths in teaching and learning, LU’s global network, including the University of Lincoln which hosts the Master of Arts in Arts and Cultural Heritage Management with us, will promote the development of Qianhai and the entire project," Prof Mok continued, stressing that when the MTR North Link is completed, LU and Qianhai will only be 20 minutes from each other, which will greatly facilitate communications between the LU main campus and its partners in Qianhai.