University of Exeter deepens ties with China and Hong Kong

Engagement with five of the most highly ranked higher education institutions in Asia - the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Tsinghua University, Peking University and Fudan University - focussed on collaborations in teaching (double and dual degrees), joint research publications and student and faculty exchanges.

Delegations from Exeter were also hosted by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) where Exeter scientists, led by Professor David Zhang (Engineering), are collaborating in the development of ultra-light materials for use in the space industry, drawing upon Exeter’s expertise in additive Layer Manufacturing.

At Peking and Fudan universities, engagement was led by Professor Sarah Hamilton (History), Professor Emma Cayley (Modern Languages) and Dr Corinna Wagner (English), supported by Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Nick Kaye. Among the proposals advanced was a new Exeter-Fudan Lectureship to extend existing teaching collaborations, and support to develop a postgraduate double degree with Peking University in the area of comparative literature.

Teaching collaborations were also explored with HKUST, with Dean of the Business School Professor Robin Mason, Head of the Law School Professor James Devenney, and Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship John Bessant, exploring progression agreements and joint awards with their counterparts in Hong Kong.

During the visit, Professor Sir Steve Smith and Provost Professor Janice Kay launched the University’s ‘Global Conversation’ series, with two events in Hong Kong. This programme of lectures is designed to showcase Exeter’s research impact on environments and communities around the world, to audiences of local policy-makers, opinion-formers and Exeter alumni based overseas.

“Water in Asia: Threats and opportunities for Health and Wellbeing” saw Professor Dragan Savic (Engineering) and Professor Mike Depledge (Medical School) demonstrate how increasingly scarce natural resources, and our ability to adapt to increasing urbanisation, impacts on the quality of life for residents of Hong Kong and the wider world. They were joined on stage by Dr Christine Loh, Under Secretary for the Environment in Hong Kong and Mr S W Chau, Chief Engineer of the Hong Kong Water Supplies Department.

At a sister event, “Transforming Mental Healthcare Services in Hong Kong”, Professor Ed Watkins and Professor Eugene Mullan (Psychology) shared the stage with Professor Patrick Leung (Head of Psychology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong) to illustrate how Exeter’s research into treating depression is being rolled out in Hong Kong hospitals in collaboration with CUHK.

Professor Sir Steve Smith also hosted major alumni events in Beijing at the British Ambassador’s Residence and in Shanghai at the World Financial Centre. In total, over 400 alumni participated in the four events.