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The University of Hong Kong and University College London establish a strategic partnership to tackle global grand challenges

06 Nov 2016

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and University College London (UCL) have established a strategic partnership building on an extensive existing relationship. Agreements for further collaborations and exchanges were signed by the two parties on October 31.

2016 has been a banner year for the two institutions. In September, they welcomed the first cohort of Dual Degree students in Law (HKU-UCL Law Programme) marking a strategic collaborative relationship between the two premier law schools. In February, HKU President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Mathieson led a HKU delegation to UCL to explore more opportunities for co-teaching programmes and research collaborations.

HKU President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Mathieson (right) and UCL Vice-Provost (Research) Professor David Price sign the agreement.

More than 30 HKU current academic staff members were previously at UCL and more than 50 UCL academic staff visited HKU in the past five years. In 2015 alone, more than 130 research papers jointly co-authored by academics from the two universities were published. The two institutions have also had an active student exchange. 

UCL ranked seventh globally in the latest QS World University Rankings and has been regarded as a key global partner by the HKU Faculties of Architecture, Business and Economics, Education, Engineering, Law and Social Sciences. UCL has also identified HKU as a key partner in the world. As global strategic partners, the two universities share many attributes in common:

• Aligned core values and commitment to tackle local issues and global challenges
• Enthusiasm to collaborate across all university levels
• Significant international visibility and recognition
• Complementary expertise for synergy and mutual gap filling
• A wide range of diverse learning opportunities for student

(From left) Professor Barbara Chan, Associate Dean (Research) of the Faculty of Engineering, HKU; Professor Bennett Yim, Associate Dean (Postgraduate) of the Faculty of Business and Economics, HKU;  Mr. Tom Windle, UCL Senior Partnership Manager (East and South East Asia); Professor David Price, UCL Vice-Provost (Research); Professor Peter Mathieson, HKU President and Vice-Chancellor; Professor W John Kao, HKU Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global); Professor Michael Hor, Dean of the Faculty of Law, HKU; Professor Stephen Andrews, Dean of the Faculty of Education, HKU; Professor Rui Yang, Associate Dean (Cross-border/International Engagement) of the Faculty of Education, HKU.

Professor W. John Kao, HKU Vice President/Pro-Vice Chancellor (Global) said fostering international institutional relationships is a key component in HKU’s global strategy. He said: “As mutually-recognised strategic partners, I’m happy to announce that the two institutions agreed to launch the “Global Partnership Fund” on a matched fund basis to further enhance the tie between us. The co-funding scheme aims to bring effective collaboration between the two universities through active and continuous communication and exchange of best practices among academic staff members and students. Projects consistent with the aspiration of HKU and UCL’s Grand Challenges in making local and global contributions are of great interest, specifically in the areas of global health, sustainable cities, cultural understanding, human wellbeing, transformative technology, and justice and equality.”

During the meeting, the two universities further agreed to increase the size of student exchange, to initiate the planning of dual degree programmes in multiple disciplines, to enhance cross cutting research collaborations, as well as to promote staff exchanges.

Professor Mathieson said: “The University of Hong Kong’s mission to be “Asia’s Global University” aligns perfectly with UCL’s mission as “London’s Global University” and the two universities have a great deal in common in terms of ethos, outlook and standards. We are delighted with the Dual Degree in Law and the message of mutual respect, confidence and trust that it sends. We foresee many other areas of collaboration which will be to the mutual benefit of both organisations; the signing of this agreement will underpin and enable these.”

Dame Nicola Brewer, Vice-Provost (International) of UCL said: "In the same week as the launch of UCL's 'It's All Academic' campaign, we are delighted to be expanding our collaborations with HKU. This initiative will provide seed funding for important research aimed at providing fair solutions to global problems."

Media enquiry:
HKU Communication and Public Affairs Office Ms Rhea Leung (Tel: +852 2857 8555) / +852 9022 7446; email: rhea.leung@hku.hk)