PolyU and Yunnan University have maintained close collaboration in student exchanges, staff development and research since 2000. More recently, the Design and Social Development Research Centre jointly established by the two universities was formally opened at Yunnan University in Kunming, China on 5 May.

Attending the ceremony were Ms Marjorie Yang, PolyU Council Chairman; Prof. Angelina Yuen, Vice President (Institutional Advancement and Partnership); Prof. Lorraine Justice, Director of School of Design; Dr Shae Wan-chaw, Acting Head of Department of Applied Social Sciences. Representatives from Yunnan University also joined the ceremony, including Prof. Liu Shaohuai, Party Secretary; Prof. He Tianchun, President; Prof. Xiao Xian,Vice President; Prof. Li Sen, Dean of Faulty of Design; and Prof. Cui Yunwu, Dean of Faculty of Public Administration. In addition, Prof. Ni Huifang, Vice President of Yunnan Provincial Committee of the Political Consultative Conference, delivered a speech in the ceremony.

The opening of the Centre means a new phase of collaboration not only between the two universities but also between the disciplines of design and social work. The Centre aims to pursue a new approach in design and social development: design from the community, with the community and for the community. It is believed that through this innovative approach, a new model of social development would emerge on the Chinese mainland and in turn, could be replicated in other regions and countries.