From April 21 to 24, Tan Tieniu, Chair of Nanjing University CPC Council and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, led a delegation to Hong Kong to attend the "2026 Times Higher Education Asia Universities Summit," the "Nanjing University Science and Innovation Achievements Exhibition in Hong Kong," and to meet with representatives from the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (hereinafter referred to as "Hong Kong Liaison Office"), the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (hereinafter referred to as "Hong Kong Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau"), as well as officials from the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and Lingnan University. The delegation held discussions with leaders of Hong Kong Cyberport, the Federation of HK Jiangsu Community Organisations, the Hong Kong China Friendship Association, and other well-known foundations, visited alumni representatives in Hong Kong, and further expanded the university's cooperation in science and education with Hong Kong, continuously enhancing NJU's influence across various sectors of Hong Kong society.
Meeting with Hong Kong Liaison Office and Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau to Strengthen Policy Support for Cooperation
On April 21, the delegation made a special visit to the Hong Kong Liaison Office. Sun Shangwu, Deputy Director of the Hong Kong Liaison Office, fully affirmed NJU's outstanding achievements in integrating science and education with Hong Kong, praising the university for continuously consolidating its advantages in regular and in-depth exchanges and cooperation with Hong Kong, helping to create a new situation for the "One Country, Two Systems" cause during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. Tan Tieniu introduced NJU's cooperation in science and education with Hong Kong, the latest construction progress of the Hong Kong Advanced Research Institute, Nanjing University (hereinafter referred to as "NJU Hong Kong Advanced Research Institute"), and the important measures for the university's internationalization in the "15th Five-Year Plan." Relevant officials from the education and science department of the Hong Kong Liaison Office accompanied the meeting.
On the same day, the delegation visited the Hong Kong Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau, where they were received by Sun Dong, Director of the Bureau. Tan Tieniu engaged in in-depth discussions with Sun Dong regarding NJU's high-quality open education layout, focusing on the development positioning of the NJU Hong Kong Advanced Research Institute as "one institute and four bases," as well as the application for major cross-border science and innovation projects and support for high-level talent introduction. Sun Dong stated that the Bureau would effectively utilize special policies for high-end talent in Hong Kong's innovation and technology sector, providing all-around and multi-dimensional support for the quality enhancement of the NJU Hong Kong Advanced Research Institute, closely aligning with the national overall research and development layout to deepen long-term and stable cooperation between the two sides.
Visiting Hong Kong Innovation, Technology and Indutry Bureau
Collaborating with Hong Kong Universities to Build Platforms for Collaborative Research and Innovation
On the afternoon of April 21, the delegation visited the University of Hong Kong, where a signing ceremony for the cooperation agreement of the Nanjing University—University of Hong Kong "Artificial Intelligence Joint Laboratory for Urban Construction and Safety Governance" was held. Tan Tieniu and Peng Gong, Vice President of the University of Hong Kong, jointly witnessed the signing of the agreement. This laboratory is the first officially operational professional research platform under the NJU Hong Kong Advanced Research Institute. The two universities will focus on key areas such as the empowerment of urban fine construction by artificial intelligence, comprehensive governance of public safety, and intelligent prediction and control of major risks, establishing a high-standard, cross-regional, high-level, and high-energy collaborative research platform.
Signing ceremony of the Nanjing University—University of Hong Kong "Artificial Intelligence Joint Laboratory for Urban Construction and Safety Governance"
On the afternoon of April 22, Tan Tieniu and his team visited the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, where they had cordial discussions with President Ye Yu-ru and Acting Director of the School of Medicine, Huo Tai-hui. The two sides exchanged opinions on strategic cooperation in the medical field, regularly holding interdisciplinary joint academic seminars, promoting talent training projects, and exploring the establishment of joint research centers in emerging interdisciplinary fields.
Delegation visits Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
On the afternoon of April 23, the delegation visited Lingnan University. Tan Tieniu engaged in in-depth discussions with Lingnan University President Qin Sizhao, who holds the Wei Jiqiu Chair Professorship in Data Science, and Vice Presidents Chen Hanfu, Yao Xin, and Chen Zhimin, as well as Associate Vice President Kuang Dehu, on topics such as interdisciplinary research in AI, joint training, dual appointments for faculty, the construction of joint research platforms, cooperation within the Hong Kong-Suzhou-Macao University Alliance, and campus expansion in the Northern Metropolitan Area. They explored new paths for comprehensive strategic cooperation to promote complementary advantages and mutual benefits between the two universities. During the visit, the delegation also toured the Shaoxuezhai Art Exhibition Hall to gain a deeper understanding of Lingnan University's campus culture and educational characteristics.
Delegation visits Lingnan University
Attending the Asia Universities Summit to Share Nanjing University's Development Philosophy
On April 22, Tan Tieniu attended the university presidents' roundtable dialogue at the "2026 Times Higher Education Asia Universities Summit," where he engaged in in-depth discussions with attendees about the possibilities and pathways for Asia to reshape global leadership in technological innovation. In his speech, Tan Tieniu stated that NJU would continue to deepen the integrated reform of the education and technology talent system, integrating into the national and regional innovation system with a more open posture, striving for a higher level of positive interaction in serving the national strategic situation and empowering local industrial development. Phil Baty, Chief Global Affairs Officer at Times Higher Education; Chen Fanchang, former President of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology; Ye Yu-ru, President of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology; Teng Jinguang, President of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University; Zhu Jiankang, President of the Macau University of Science and Technology; Lily Kong, President of Singapore Management University; Ahmed Ali Alraeesi, Vice Chancellor of the United Arab Emirates University; Waqar Ahmed, President of Nazarbayev University; Angelo Jimenez, President of the University of the Philippines; Hazri bin Haji Kifle, Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Brunei Darussalam; Yusuf Leblebici, President of Sabancı University; and Noor Azuan Abu Osman, Vice Chancellor of the University of Malaya also attended the roundtable dialogue.
Tan Tieniu attends the roundtable dialogue at the "2026 Times Higher Education Asia Universities Summit"
During the summit, Tan Tieniu discussed cooperation with Thokozani Majozi, Vice President of the University of Cape Town and President of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf). Tan pointed out that 2026 is the year of cultural exchange between China and Africa, and he warmly welcomed outstanding young students from South Africa to study at NJU, expressing hope for future exploration of establishing a joint center at the University of Cape Town and regularly conducting joint scientific research and high-level academic exchanges. Majozi highly agreed with the proposed cooperation and looked forward to visiting NJU soon to promote the signing of an inter-university cooperation memorandum and continue deepening Sino-African cooperation in science and education.
Tan Tieniu Discusses Cooperation with Thokozani Majozi
Holding Science and Innovation Achievement Exhibition to Build Bridge for Industry-Academia-Research Transformation
On April 23, the delegation visited Hong Kong Cyberport, where they jointly toured the Nanjing University Science and Innovation Achievements Exhibition in Hong Kong with Chen Ximing, Chairman of the Cyberport Board.
Delegation visits Cyberport
Nanjing University Science and Innovation Achievements Exhibition in Hong Kong
Tan Tieniu stated that NJU would take this special exhibition as an opportunity to continue to deepen its advantageous and characteristic disciplines, continuously enhancing collaborative interactions with various sectors in Hong Kong, solidifying and strengthening the NJU Hong Kong Advanced Research Institute, and jointly serving the construction of an education powerhouse, a technology powerhouse, and a talent powerhouse. He emphasized the hope that both sides would accelerate the precise matching, efficient docking, and practical implementation of NJU's research and technology teams with the industries at Cyberport to achieve deep integration of industry, academia, and research.
Tan Tieniu introduces NJU science & innovation achievements
Chen Ximing expressed that NJU's achievements in science and innovation are substantial, and he eagerly anticipates closer collaboration between Cyberport and NJU, leveraging the hub role of the NJU Hong Kong Advanced Research Institute to accelerate project implementation, and fully speed up Hong Kong's better integration into the national science and innovation development framework.
This exhibition is the first large-scale science and innovation exchange activity held after the establishment of the Nanjing University Hong Kong Advanced Research Institute in October 2025. With the theme "Science and Innovation Integration, Wisdom for the Future," it showcases NJU’s emblematic achievements in science and technology innovation in engineering and humanities, focusing on collaborative innovation in education and science between Suzhou and Hong Kong, and promoting the landing and transformation of Nanjing University's cutting-edge achievements. Representatives from Soho Holdings Group Zhong Shan Company Ltd., the Hong Kong Jiangsu Science and Innovation Center, and over forty well-known figures from Hong Kong's education, technology, and business sectors attended.
Connecting with Various Sectors in Hong Kong to Gather Synergy for Integrated Development
During the visit to Hong Kong, the delegation met with Tang Yingnian, Founding President of the Federation of HK Jiangsu Community Organisations, and current President Yao Maolong to discuss the organization of the 2026 Suzhou-Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Cooperation Salon, and subsequently visited Sino Group, Shaw Foundation, Fok Ying Tung Education Foundation, and the Hong Kong China Friedship Association, exchanging opinions with leaders on topics related to leveraging NJU's comprehensive disciplinary advantages to achieve deep integration with Hong Kong's real economy and strengthen cooperation between the university and various associations. Tan Tieniu also attended the alumni gathering organized by the Nanjing University Hong Kong Alumni Association at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, where he met and exchanged views with representatives from the business community including Pan Zhengmin, CEO and Executive Director of AAC Technologies.
Delegation visits Federation of HK Jiangsu Community Organisations
Delegation visits Sino Group
Delegation visits the Shaw Foundation
Delegation visits to Fok Ying Tung Education Foundation
Delegation visits to Hong Kong China Friendship Association
The alumni gathering organized by the NJU Hong Kong Alumni Association
This visit is a concrete action for Nanjing University to embark on a new journey at the beginning of the national "15th Five-Year Plan," deeply advancing high-quality open education and solidly implementing the university's "Forging Ahead Initiative." The visit reached multiple cooperation consensus and completed important platform agreements, which will continuously enhance the university's international education capabilities and further solidify the profound friendship and cooperative ties between NJU and various sectors in Hong Kong, injecting strong momentum for the comprehensive deepening of the university's collaborative innovation in science and education with Hong Kong and promoting integrated development between the two regions.
