Two leading universities from East and West have come together to advance research and tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

PolyU and the University of Oxford formalised a new strategic partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Oxford. The agreement lays the foundation for deeper academic and research collaboration, bringing together the strengths of both institutions to address complex global issues through interdisciplinary innovation.

The MoU was signed by Professor Li Xiangdong, Dean of PolyU’s Faculty of Construction and Environmental and Chair Professor of Environmental Science and Technology, and Professor Michael Obersteiner, Director of Oxford’s Environmental Change Institute (ECI), Professor of Global Change and Sustainability, and Editor of Nexus.

The partnership focuses on a broad range of critical fields, including urban systems, energy and environment, public health, climate resilience, artificial intelligence and data science, as well as policy and governance. By combining complementary expertise and perspectives, the two universities aim to generate impactful solutions that contribute to sustainable development and societal wellbeing.

Professor Li said PolyU is committed to addressing global challenges through cutting-edge interdisciplinary research and believes the collaboration will create valuable opportunities for pioneering discoveries, academic exchange and international scholarship.

Echoing this sentiment, Professor Obersteiner described the partnership as an exciting opportunity to bring together the strengths of both institutions in addressing interconnected global challenges. He emphasised the value of building genuinely collaborative research and fostering the exchange of ideas across disciplines and borders.

Beyond research, the collaboration will promote a wide range of activities, including staff and student exchanges, joint seminars and workshops, the sharing of open-access publications, and the development of joint funding applications. These initiatives will strengthen academic links between the two universities while creating new opportunities for researchers and students alike.

The signing ceremony followed Nexus Forum 2026, an international conference held at the University of Oxford and co-organised by PolyU and Cell Press. Co-chaired by Professor Jerry Yan, Chair Professor of Energy and Buildings at PolyU and Editor-in-Chief of Nexus, and Professor Obersteiner, the forum convened leading scholars from around the world to explore solutions for sustainability, climate resilience and integrated systems. Under the theme “Unity in Diversity: Interdisciplinary Perspectives for a Sustainable Future”, the event highlighted the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration in addressing today's global challenges.

As PolyU continues to expand its global network of academic partners, the new alliance with Oxford represents another significant step in strengthening international collaboration and generating knowledge that delivers meaningful impact for society.