Strengthening Anhui‑Hong Kong cooperation in education: Lingnan University signs MoU with Anhui University

Lingnan University and Anhui University have signed a university‑level Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), laying a solid foundation for increasing all‑round strategic collaboration. Prof Sun Changyin, President of Anhui University, led a delegation to visit Lingnan on 20 April, 2026, and they were warmly received by Prof Xin Yao, Vice-President (Research and Innovation) and Tong Tin Sun Chair Professor of Machine Learning, Prof Sam Kwog Tak-wu, Associate Vice-President (Strategic Research) and J.K. Lee Chair Professor of Computational Intelligence, Prof Song Yongduan, Dean of the School of Data Science, Henry Y. W. Fong Chair Professor of Industrial Data Science and Foreign Member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and other representatives from Lingnan University. Prof Yao and Prof Sun signed the MoU, which was witnessed by Mr Wang Qingxian, Governor of Anhui Province.

The universities held in‑depth discussions and established consensus on the directions their cooperation should take within the framework of the MoU, and Prof Yao gave an account of their past fruitful and friendly exchanges, pointing out that both are similar in disciplinary layout and development philosophies, so there are broad prospects for cooperation. He proposed deepening collaboration in joint research project applications and PhD training, and encouraging outstanding undergraduates to pursue further studies at Lingnan, advancing the association of higher education and innovation between Anhui and Hong Kong.

Prof Sun told the delegation about the recent educational achievements and disciplinary development of Anhui University, noting that it offers a comprehensive range of disciplines and has obtained outstanding results in both the National Social Science Fund and National Natural Science Fund projects. He sees the MoU as an opportunity for high‑profile academic conferences, increased research cooperation in key fields including humanities, artificial intelligence, and data science, promoting joint PhD training, establishing a regular and structured inter‑university cooperation mechanism, and mutual learning and shared progress.

The Anhui delegation also toured the Lingnan campus, the Chamber of Young Snow Art Exhibition Hall and the United Nations University Hub on Humanitarian Innovation and Technology at Lingnan University, gaining a thorough understanding of Lingnan’s educational philosophy, campus culture, and interdisciplinary accomplishments.

Present at the event were:

From Anhui University, Mr Guo Wenhao, Director of the Domestic Cooperation Office, Ms Wang Muqing, Deputy Director of the Office of International Cooperation and Exchanges (Deputy Director of the Office for Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs), Mr Wang Yang, Deputy Director of the Human Resources Office. From Lingnan, Ms Ivy Shen Tingting, Head of the Office of National Engagement, and Ms Crystal Li Zhuoyu, Senior Administrative Officer, Office of National Engagement.