HKUST strengthens partnership with Peking University (PKU), the highest-ranking liberal arts university in China and a world-leading research institute, and the University of Virginia (UVa), the No. 2 Public Research University in the United States in the latest U.S. News and World Report (August 2009). The three universities are working together to draw up a blueprint for a globally engaged higher education and research.
A delegation from PKU led by Provost Prof Jianhua Lin visited the HKUST on August 12-13, 2010 was followed by a joint HKUST and PKU delegation visit to the Univeristy of Virginia. The visits entail the signing of a trilateral memorandum of understanding (MoU) establishing a joint institute located at the PKU campus in Beijing, under which the three universities will work together to undertake a wide spectrum of academic exchanges and research collaborations, e.g. student and faculty exchange. Details of humanities, social, applied and natural sciences dual degree programs at both the BA/BSc and the PhD level were hammered out during the visits.
Prof James Lee, Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Science of the HKUST envisioned that creating incentives and opportunities for Hong Kong students to dual-degrees at the best universities in North America and mainland China not only broadens students’ vision but also enhances the attractiveness of the program and a HKUST education.
The school has also been actively exploring exchange opportunities for students of minor programs as well. This year, SHSS students are provided with exchange opportunities at UCLA, UVa, Sciences Po à Paris and PKU.
