Prof. Rocky Tuan joins higher education experts at THE Asia Universities Summit 2018

Prof. Rocky S. Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK, took part in the Times Higher Education (THE) Asia Universities Summit hosted by Southern University of Science and Technology on 6 February 2018. During the summit, Prof. Tuan joined some 30 leaders in higher education from around the world to engage in discussion on global research and education around the role of universities in building and supporting cities. He also spoke in the ‘Universities Sustaining Cities in the 21st Century’ panel and took the opportunity to network with the leaders of other participating universities.

Besides, the press was keen to interview Prof. Tuan for his views on the role of universities in the development of cities. He said that universities in big cities should provide a timely response to the needs of local residents. ‘Government and universities should work together to address the fundamental problems of the city, such as the ageing problem.’ They can also work together on ‘smart city’, including smart mobility, smart environment, smart economy, low-carbon transportation, climate change, medical services and innovation. With CUHK taking a leadership role in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau University Alliance, he was also keen to contribute to the national Big Bay Area initiative.

Separately, Prof. Tuan was among a few local university leaders interviewed by THE Weekly Magazine which featured a report reviewing higher education in Hong Kong in face of growing strengths of universities in mainland China, particularly in Shenzhen. He considered that Hong Kong is the ‘innovation leader’ for the manufacturing and export axis of Belt and Road and will play a huge role in the growth of the Pearl River Delta area. Besides, Hong Kong is still the leader in finance, law, education and technology. With the dramatic development of Shenzhen, Prof. Tuan is excited by the opportunities offered by the proximity of Shenzhen to CUHK, which has established a long presence in the city.