LU and Guangdong University of Technology set up Mainland’s first centre to encourage students’ innovation and entrepreneurship

11 Oct 2021

嶺南大學與廣東工業大學成立「廣東工業大學—嶺南大學創新創業融合服務中心」,由(左起)嶺南大學校董會主席姚祖輝先生、校長鄭國漢教授、副校長莫家豪教授、廣東工業大學黨委常委、副校級幹部張學理先生、黨委書記胡欽太先生及校長邱學青教授一同舉行揭牌儀式。

LU and GDUT jointly establish the “LU-GDUT Service Centre for Guangdong-Hong Kong University Students’ Innovation and Entrepreneurship”. (From left) Chairman of the LU Council Mr Andrew Yao, LU President Prof Leonard K Cheng, Vice-President Prof Joshua Mok Ka-ho, with deputy cadre of GDUT Mr Zhang Xueli, Secretary of the Party Committee of GDUT Prof Hu Qintai, and President of GDUT Prof Qiu Xueqing, unveil the plaques in Hong Kong and Guangzhou respectively.

Lingnan University (LU) and the Guangdong University of Technology (GDUT) signed an agreement of collaboration and held a launching ceremony today (11 October) for the “LU-GDUT Service Centre for Guangdong-Hong Kong University Students’ Innovation and Entrepreneurship” to strengthen cooperation between the two universities by encouraging high-calibre innovation and entrepreneurial talent with an international perspective.

 

The signing ceremony was conducted virtually at both universities, with Prof Leonard K Cheng, President of LU, and Prof Qiu Xueqing, President of GDUT, signing the cooperation agreement. Mr Andrew Yao, Chairman of the LU Council, Prof Hu Qintai, Secretary of the Party Committee of GDUT, Prof Joshua Mok Ka-ho, Vice-President of LU, and Mr Zhang Xueli, member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee and deputy cadre of GDUT, witnessed the signing, and jointly unveiled the plaques.

 

Mr Yao, said in his address that the association between the two institutions offers both “inter-university and inter-disciplinary” exchange opportunities for students’ inventive thinking and expanding global vision, and helps students gain an in-depth understanding of China’s fastest-growing environment, foster friendships with Mainland and give further impetus to the Greater Bay Area development.

 

Prof Hu pointed out that China’s increasing demand for higher education and talent in scientific research is more pressing than ever. In response to the “Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area” promulgated by the Central Government, concerted efforts will be made by both parties to enable Guangdong-Hong Kong innovation and entrepreneurship exchanges, to share teaching and learning resources, and to strengthen bonds between young people of both regions.

 

Prof Cheng described the collaboration as comprehensive, helping to enhance and integrate students’ capabilities. “We are committed to providing a Guangdong-Hong Kong innovation and entrepreneurial platform for students, enabling them to gain experience and adapt to the new cross-border learning and working environments as soon as possible, so as to help new graduates make the most of the invaluable opportunities in the Greater Bay Area, encourage cooperation and modernisation among young people of both regions, and promote sustainable development of society,” said President Cheng.

 

Prof Qiu said that the partnership is a significant step in strengthening mutual cooperation for innovation and entrepreneurial talents, and hopes that both parties will benefit from their advantages and improve overall results. It will also be helpful in reinforcing mutual exchanges, teamwork and collaboration in original projects, so that more students in the region can turn their fresh business ideas into reality, exchange multicultural concepts and integrate into the Greater Bay Area development.

 

Under the collaboration agreement, the two parties will combine teaching and learning resources based on their similar programmes and shared faculty members, launching an “Innovation and entrepreneurship online workshop” and an “Innovation and entrepreneurship winter academy” for students, as well as undertaking joint research and strengthening exchange, training and participation. Both institutions will vigorously promote Hong Kong-Macau and international academic exchange activities, nurture students’ innovation and entrepreneurial mindset, broaden their international horizons and enhance their capabilities to serve.