CUHK
News Centre

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) organised the 2023 Meeting of the Association of University Presidents of China (AUPC) and the Forum on Building World-class Universities yesterday (10 December). The event was supported by the State Ministry of Education and the Education Bureau in the HKSAR. Principal guests joining the activities and giving opening speeches comprised Professor Chen Jie, Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Education; Dr. Christine Choi, Secretary for Education in the HKSAR; representatives from the Ministry of Education and presidents of AUPC member universities.

Professor Rocky S. Tuan, CUHK’s Vice-Chancellor and President attended the Forum and delivered opening remarks. He discussed the future development paths of Chinese universities with delegates (including, in alphabetical order), Fudan University, Harbin Institute of Technology, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Nanjing University, Peking University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, The University of Hong Kong, Tsinghua University, The University of Science and Technology of China, Xi’an Jiaotong University and Zhejiang University.

Heads of the 12 participating universities contributed to the Forum, themed “Strategies for Talent Cultivation and Innovation of First-class Universities upon Resumption of Normalcy”, sharing insights into recent educational developments. Professor Tuan delivered a presentation regarding the challenges and responsibilities of higher education in the post-pandemic era. He remarked that 2023 is a very special year for both CUHK and Hong Kong, marking CUHK’s 60th anniversary. With an evolving role in society, higher educational institutions must provide leadership by bringing teaching, learning and research together, to connect with the world in an innovative spirit and play a leading role in global development.

AUPC was founded in 1997, comprising member institutions including CUHK, plus the nine universities that were first recognised under the national government’s Project 985 higher education development scheme, also known as the C9 universities, as well as The University of Hong Kong, and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. The Association aims to dedicate its expertise and coordinate resources to develop higher education in China. Apart from annual meetings and Presidents Forums, as well as student exchanges and joint student performances among member universities, the Association also administers the AUPC Visiting Scholar/Executive Scheme to promote exchange and further academic links among members.