Building Stronger Partnerships with the School of Ethnology and Sociology at Yunnan University

The “Building a Better Life: First Yunnan-Hong Kong Social Sciences Forum” was successfully held at Yunnan University from 16 to 18 September 2025. Co-hosted by the Department of Applied Social Sciences (APSS) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Yunnan University’s Centre for Studies of Chinese Southwest Borderland’s Ethnic Minorities and School of Ethnology and Sociology, the forum was supported by the China and Global Development Network of APSS, PolyU, and the Peking University – The Hong Kong Polytechnic University China Social Work Research Centre. 

The forum brought together over 100 experts, scholars, students and practitioners from both universities to engage in in-depth exchanges on the theme of building a better life.

Following the opening ceremony, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Prof. Eric CHUI, Chair Professor of Social Work and Criminology, Head of APSS and Co-Director of the Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology, and Prof. Ming HE, Dean of the School of Ethnology and Sociology at Yunnan University. The MoU lays the foundation for future collaboration in academic research, seminars, faculty and student exchanges, and related areas.

The forum effectively fostered in-depth exchanges and intellectual dialogue in disciplines such as social work, sociology, ethnology and anthropology between Yunnan and Hong Kong, while elevating the collaboration between PolyU and Yunnan University to new heights.

Online coverage:
Yunnan U: http://www.msxy.ynu.edu.cn/info/1042/5399.htm
CGDN: https://polyucgdn.com/article/469