PolyU delegation’s Central Asia visit yields partnerships with leading universities and institution in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, fostering further collaboration in Belt and Road regions
A delegation from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) visited Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in Central Asia from 31 May to 5 June, with a view to further expanding its networks in the Belt and Road (B&R) regions, exemplifying its efforts to promote internationalisation and reinforce regional ties.
Witnessed by Mr John LEE, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the delegation exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nazarbayev University (NU), New Uzbekistan University (NewUU) and the “El-Yurt Umidi” Foundation, respectively. The partnerships span academic exchanges, innovative development and talent cultivation, which will foster higher education collaboration in the B&R regions, contributing to Hong Kong's development into an international hub for post-secondary education.
Leading the delegation, Prof. Wing-tak WONG, Deputy President and Provost of PolyU, said, “As a world top 100 university, PolyU is committed to creating societal benefits through world-leading research and innovation. In support of the HKSAR Government, we leverage Hong Kong's distinctive advantage of possessing strong support from the Motherland and close connection to the rest of the world, establishing partnerships with top universities worldwide to promote international talent cultivation and academic cooperation. As Central Asia is an important node of our Nation’s B&R Initiative, these new partnerships will amplify joint efforts in higher education and scientific research in these regions, while also drawing outstanding talent to pursue further studies and development in Hong Kong and thus consolidating its position as an international hub for high-calibre talent.”
During the visit to Kazakhstan, Prof. Raymond SZE, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, and Prof. JIANG Binyan, Associate Head (Teaching) of the Department of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, engaged in in-depth discussion with Prof. Rehan SADIQ, Provost of NU, exploring new pathways for joint academic initiatives and research collaboration. Prof. Sze also joined the HKSAR Government Business Networking Luncheon and exchanged insights into education, research innovation and regional cooperation with local leaders from different sectors.
Witnessed by Mr John Lee, PolyU and NU exchanged an MoU which aims to explore collaboration in areas including student and staff exchanges, research and participation in internationally funded projects. The two universities will also work to strengthen exchanges and collaboration among members of the University Alliance of the Silk Road, in support of the Nation's B&R Initiative.
Led by Prof. Wing-tak Wong and Prof. H.C. MAN, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, the PolyU delegation then visited Uzbekistan. With the aim of forging strategic educational ties, a trilateral meeting was held among PolyU, NewUU — the country’s first comprehensive research university — and the “El-Yurt Umidi” Foundation, mapping out strategic joint academic initiatives.
Witnessed by Mr John Lee and Mr Sardor UMURZAKOV, Advisor to the President of Uzbekistan on Strategic Development, PolyU exchanged an MoU with NewUU and the “El-Yurt Umidi” Foundation, respectively. The former aims to strengthen educational and academic connections through strategic partnerships. The latter seeks to offer professional traineeship programmes for selected Uzbek government officials in cybersecurity, robotics and drone systems, with the first cohort expected to commence training on the PolyU campus within 2026. PolyU and the Foundation will also jointly offer scholarships and other support to talented Uzbek high school graduates admitted to PolyU undergraduate programmes.
PolyU will continue to broaden its international collaboration network, strengthen partnerships in the B&R regions and actively promote academic, research and talent exchanges, making greater contributions to Hong Kong, the Nation and the world.
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