South China Academics: University alliance in Greater Bay Area to enhance academic exchanges

World
Europe

The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao University Alliance is one of China's most significant academic associations, bridging the three regions closer together. It's enabling educators and students alike to participate in scholarly exchanges while also allowing faculties across South China to collaborate. CGTN reporter Zhu Longzhou has this story.

Over the years, many of the students from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao have found a growing interest in seeking out opportunities across the Greater Bay Area.

LAI SHIWEN STUDENT, SUN YAT-SEN UNIVERSITY "Almost half of my classmates are planning to study in Hong Kong or Macao. I think the alliance can bring about a lot of convenience, like connecting university libraries across the region. It's very convenient. Students from the alliance will all have access to shared academic material."

It was students like Shiwen from Sun Yat-sen University that initially proposed the GD-HK-MUA plan.

LUO JUN PRESIDENT, SUN YAT-SEN UNIVERSITY "The GBA has its unique geographical advantages. This advantage enables us to make good use of national strategic planning to develop our marine-related disciplines and cultivate talents in marine science. We also have the Space Science Alliance. There are many things that the bay area can do, which brings infinite opportunities to universities."

In July 2016, 28 universities in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao founded the GD-HK-MUA.

The main goal is to promote cooperation between the universities across the three regions - a platform for online learning was also built in the same year, initiated by 11 universities. The platform offers nearly 400 courses. Meanwhile, around 190 undergraduate cooperative programs, and 5 joint laboratories have been established in recent years.

SONG YONGHUA PRESIDENT, THE UNIVERSITY OF MACAU "The Universities in the three regions have their own characteristics. Cooperation can be strengthened if we provide our students with the appropriate support and allow them to be competitive on a global stage."

ROCKY S. TUAN PRESIDENT, THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG "Our university can really do something substantial. Besides giving them an education, students also receive a sense of social responsibility. The faculties from the three places can bring this set of principles and ideas of learning and education to the Greater Bay Area."

The Greater Bay Area is setting an example for other provinces across China when it comes to collaborating with Hong Kong and Macao.

And because of the efforts in the south, a trend of regional cooperation in the field of education is spreading nationwide, bringing the best minds and potential together.

Zhu Longzhou, CGTN, Guangzhou.