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Professor Rocky S. Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), led a senior delegation to Beijing from 25 to 26 August 2023. He attended the inauguration ceremony of the National Torch Academy of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Zhongguancun), of which CUHK is an initiating organisation. CUHK will promote the establishment of the academy and take a leading role in establishing its Hong Kong branch.

Professor Tuan and his senior leadership team arrived in Beijing on 25 August. The delegation consisted of Professor Chan Wai-yee, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of CUHK, Member of the Academia Europaea Professor Qin Ling, and Director of CUHK T Stone Robotics Professor Liu Yunhui, among other CUHK professors. 

Professor Tuan attended the HICOOL 2023 Global Entrepreneur Summit Opening Ceremony and Global Entrepreneurship Competition Awards Ceremony at the China International Exhibition Centre in Shunyi District, Beijing from 25 to 26 August 2023. He also joined related activities including a leader tour, the academy’s inauguration ceremony and the First High-Level Talent Highland Construction Forum. On the same day, Professor Chan attended the unveiling ceremony of the Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Talent Exchange and Cooperation Demonstration Zone.

The HICOOL 2023 Global Entrepreneur Summit and Entrepreneurship Competition is a comprehensive international talent event featuring domestic and overseas entrepreneurship competitions. The theme of this year is “Gathering momentum to innovate and move towards the light”, with the aim of bringing outstanding talents and innovative entrepreneurial projects together, attracting the participation of many universities and high-tech enterprises from different countries and regions.

As a guest of the event, Professor Tuan accompanied Yin Li, Secretary of the Beijing Municipal Party Committee, Wu Zhaohui, Vice Minister of Science and Technology, Sun Yao, Vice Minister of Education, and other leaders on a tour of the international innovation exhibition area. Professor Tuan introduced CUHK’s booth and innovation projects to them. He subsequently attended the inauguration ceremony and the award ceremony, presenting awards to the winners.

Professor Tuan stated, “Taking advantage of this important opportunity of the HICOOL 2023 Global Entrepreneurship Summit, we have showcased the entrepreneurial wisdom and power of CUHK to the world, exchanging experiences and expanding cooperation opportunities with other leading universities and enterprises. Under the guidance and support of the Beijing Municipal Talent Bureau, CUHK officially established the CUHK Beijing Centre in June this year, gathering the forces of entrepreneurial innovation and building the CUHK innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in Beijing. With CUHK formally joining the National Torch Academy of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Zhongguancun) as a founding organisation, and assisting in the construction of the Hong Kong branch, we will contribute to the cultivation of innovative talents for Beijing and Hong Kong.”

On the morning of the 26th, Professor Tuan made a keynote speech at the First High-Level Talent Highland Construction Forum, sharing CUHK’s efforts in teaching, talent, scientific research and innovation. He commented, “As an important provider of higher education in mainland China, the Greater Bay Area and Hong Kong, CUHK continues to shoulder our responsibilities in education, scientific research and serving society in innovative ways. We are also constantly thinking about how to integrate into national development, serve social needs and play to our university’s strengths, contributing to the country’s self-reliance in science, technology and independent talent training.” Subsequently, Professor Tuan participated in a round-table discussion with representatives of international organisations and renowned experts and scholars on topics such as technological innovation and high-level talent cultivation.

Professor Tuan expressed his gratitude to all parties who participated in the Beijing trip and extended an invitation to them. “This trip is another visit to Beijing after the establishment of the CUHK Beijing Centre. Relying on the platform of the Beijing Centre, we have carried out friendly exchanges with partners from all over the world, and the gains have been fruitful. This is a perfect interpretation of ‘Backing the Nation, Facing the World’ by CUHK. As CUHK celebrates its 60th anniversary, we sincerely invite all parties to celebrate with us and witness a new milestone on CUHK’s journey.”

In June this year, CUHK established the Beijing Centre and signed agreements with various parties to discuss development. This visit to Beijing is an important symbol of the relevant cooperation. In the future, CUHK will carry out more mainland activities, actively integrate into the overall development of the country, and strive to promote the cultivation of innovative talents, scientific and technological cooperation, and academic exchanges.