Leeds signs Memorandum of Understanding with Chinese University of Hong Kong

The MOU will strengthen the partnership between the two institutions and lead to more collaborative research projects and staff and postgraduate student exchanges.

University of Leeds Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor John Fisher CBE signed the memorandum on 8th June in Hong Kong during the visit of a Leeds delegation to the region to boost educational links and research collaborations.

Leeds and CUHK are members of the Worldwide Universities Network (WUN), an alliance of 19 leading research-led universities. Future research projects undertaken by Leeds and CUHK will focus on four areas identified by the WUN in its Global Challenge on Adapting to Climate Change programme - global public health; non-communicable diseases; understanding cultures; and the globalisation of higher education and research.

Professor Fisher said: “We are delighted to be signing this partnership agreement with the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Leeds is one of the UK’s largest universities with more than 33,000 students from 145 countries and we have long-standing links with the Far East, and particularly Hong Kong.

“Our strategy at Leeds is about producing research which has a major impact on society and the partnership with the Chinese University of Hong Kong supports this ambition. The visit to Hong Kong is a great opportunity to showcase how research at Leeds is addressing some of the planet’s biggest challenges.”

The delegation from Leeds visited Hong Kong from 5th to 9th June and have met with alumni; businesses and potential research partners; visit schools and public engagement activities.

The Leeds delegation included 20 senior academics from the faculties of Arts, Business, Engineering, Environment, and Performance, Visual Arts and as well as from the University’s Alumni Relations team, and the International Office. They also met representatives from the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong Baptist University and Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Public engagement activities have been held including an academic public lecture and a special University of Leeds Hong Kong Open Day at the British Council will take place on Saturday 9 June.

The public lecture was given by Andy Gouldson, Professor of Sustainability Research, and is based on his ground-breaking research into how cities around the world could simultaneously reduce their carbon footprint while stimulating their economy and creating employment.

Professor Fisher will meet with Andrew Seaton, British Consul-General to Hong Kong and Macao, who is also a Leeds alumnus.

Professor Fisher said: “This trip is about enhancing existing links with our partners and alumni, and forging new ones with other institutions, potential students and collaborators.”