The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) recently embarked on a delegation visit to Central Asia, covering Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan from 31 May to 5 June 2026. Led by Prof. Wing-tak Wong, Deputy President and Provost, PolyU representatives joined the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government’s visit to Nazarbayev University (NU) in Kazakhstan and a Business Networking Dinner in Uzbekistan, where the exchange of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with local institutions was witnessed by high-level government officials.
During the first leg of the visit to Kazakhstan, Prof. Raymond Sze, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, and Prof. Binyan Jiang, Associate Head (Teaching) and Associate Professor of the Department of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, had a fruitful discussion with the nation's top university, Nazarbayev University (NU), to explore new pathways for joint academic initiatives. Prof. Sze also joined the HKSAR Government Business Networking Luncheon in Kazakhstan, utilising the occasion to connect with prominent leaders across different sectors. During the HKSAR Government’s visit to NU on Wednesday, the exchange of an MoU on a student mobility programme with NU was witnessed by Mr John Lee, the Chief Executive of the HKSAR.
In Uzbekistan, the delegation was joined by Prof. Wong and Ir Prof. H.C. Man, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering. This high-level delegation aimed to forge strategic educational ties. Pivotal trilateral meetings were held among PolyU, New Uzbekistan University (NewUU) — the country’s first public autonomous research university — and the "El-Yurt Umidi" Foundation for the Training of Prospective Personnel under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan ("El-Yurt Umidi" Foundation), mapping out strategic joint academic initiatives.
In a major step towards building regional talent capabilities, PolyU signed an MoU with the "El-Yurt Umidi" Foundation to offer professional traineeship programmes for selected Uzbek government officials in Cybersecurity, Robotics, and Drone Systems, with the first cohort commencing their training on the PolyU campus in 2026. The MoU also laid out a collaboration framework for PolyU and the "El-Yurt Umidi" Foundation to jointly offer scholarships and other support to talented Uzbek high school graduates admitted to PolyU undergraduate programmes. Under another MoU between PolyU and NewUU, both parties agreed to strengthen educational ties through strategic partnerships. The exchange of these signed MoUs was also witnessed by Mr John Lee and Mr Sardor Umurzakov, Advisor to the President of Uzbekistan on Strategic Development at the HKSAR Government Business Networking Dinner.
By fostering deeper relationships with leading institutions in Central Asia, PolyU reaffirms its ongoing commitment to enhancing its international networks, cultivating global talent, strengthening collaboration among members of the "University Alliance of the Silk Road", and staying actively engaged with educational partners across the Belt and Road region.
