PolyU Attends the Second University Presidents Forum of the University Consortium of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road

On 12 June 2026, the Second University Presidents Forum of the University Consortium of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road (UCMSR) was held at Xiamen University under the theme “Connecting the World via the Maritime Silk Road, Forging the Future with Digital Intelligence”. The event brought together over 150 university leaders and representatives from around the world to discuss practices in higher education and identify pathways for collaboration in education, research, and innovation. 

The opening ceremony was officiated by Prof. Lei Zhao, Deputy Director-General of the Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges of China’s Ministry of Education; Prof. Weiping Wu, Level I Bureau Rank Official of Fujian Provincial Department of Education; and Prof. Wenping Hu, President of Xiamen University and newly elected Chair of the UCMSR Council. The event was moderated by Prof. Dalin Shi, Vice President of Xiamen University. 

Prof. Ben Young, Vice President (Student and Global Affairs) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), attended the event and chaired the Roundtable Dialogue to discuss development strategies for the UCMSR, regional cooperation, and new approaches to advancing higher education through international collaboration. He also met with Prof. Shi to explore potential areas of collaboration between PolyU and Xiamen University. 

PolyU is committed to strengthening strategic collaboration and partnerships with universities worldwide. Established by Xiamen University in 2018, the UCMSR is a higher education consortium that upholds the Silk Road spirit of “peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit”. The members of the Consortium include 73 universities and research institutes across 20 countries and regions along the Maritime Silk Road. As a founding member of the UCMSR, PolyU continues to support the Belt and Road Initiative and promote substantive academic exchange across the Belt and Road region.