Lingnan University and Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University sign MoU to advance arts and well-being exchange
Prof Ip Kim-ho (front row, right), Head of Wong Bing Lai Music and Performing Arts Unit of Lingnan University, Prof Hon Tze-ki (centre), Dean of BNBU’s Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and Dr Chen Jianing (front row, left), BNBU’s Programme Coordinator of Chinese Culture and Global Communication, sign the MoU for the establishment of the Research-Oriented Service-Learning Project “Transcultural and Translingual Dialogues for Arts and Well-being”.
Lingnan University Wong Bing Lai Music and Performing Arts Unit (WBLMP) led a delegation to visit Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University (BNBU) in Zhuhai, China, on 11 April 2025. Prof Ip Kim-ho, Head of WBLMP, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment of the Research-Oriented Service-Learning Project “Transcultural and Translingual Dialogues for Arts and Well-being” with Prof Hon Tsz-ki, Dean of BNBU’s Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and Dr Chen Jianing, BNBU’s Programme Coordinator of Chinese Culture and Global Communication. The MoU establishes a framework for joint research in arts and holistic well-being.
The highlight of the visit was the academic seminar “Performing Arts and Well-being”, chaired by Prof Ip. Dr Chen opened the discussion by referencing Confucian classics such as The Book of Rites: Record of Music, which explores the connection between musical tones and moral character, as well as The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon, which documents music’s therapeutic effects. Dr Wong Kar-bo of BNBU then analysed the enlightening significance of The Analects’ opening passage, “To learn and at due times to repeat what one has learnt”, sharing how BNBU integrates the Six Arts (rites, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and mathematics) into modern education to cultivate well-being.
Dr Huang Yu of Lingnan further enriched the dialogue by reflecting on the Chinese conceptualisations of well-being, such as “泰然” and “幸福感”, and examining their philosophical dimensions through ontology, epistemology, and axiology. Students from WBLMP’s Instrumental Ensemble Course and elderly students then delivered presentations and musical performances, demonstrating the physiological, psychological, and social benefits of arts education. In his closing remarks, Prof Ip emphasised that well-being is a state of inner fulfillment and harmony, a multidimensional concept that can be pursued individually, collectively, or as a shared ideal. The symposium exemplified how traditional wisdom and contemporary research can converge to promote holistic wellness.
Lingnan student presents on music’s impact on well-being at the seminar.
BNBU’s Yuzhen Jinsheng Yayue Orchestra’s instructor, Dr Ye Chiaying (front row, centre), demonstrated traditional instruments classified under the “Eight Tones” (metal, stone, silk, bamboo, gourd, clay, hide, and wood).
Lingnan’s Instrumental Ensemble Course students perform at the seminar.