Global universities gather in SZ to explore APEC-era education cooperation

Video by Li Jiayi

As the APEC China Year unfolds, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (CUHK-Shenzhen) hosted its 2026 Spring Global Partner Day on February 28, marking the first major international education exchange event in Shenzhen’s higher education sector under the APEC framework.

Professor Xu Yangsheng (C), president of CUHK-Shenzhen, welcomes international delegates. Courtesy of CUHK-Shenzhen

The event saw the participation of 49 distinguished guests from 19 countries and regions, including Canada, the United States, Mexico, representing 32 leading universities worldwide. The delegation included four university-level leaders and 21 deans or department heads, with more than 80% visiting Shenzhen for the first time -- a testament for the city's growing global academic appeal.

International delegates tour the CUHK-Shenzhen campus. Li Jiayi

In his opening remarks, Vice President Zhu Shiping reflected on the university’s rapid development in Shenzhen over the past 12 years. Since its establishment in Shenzhen, CUHK-Shenzhen has built a comprehensive academic structure comprising eight academic schools, one graduate school and eight residential colleges, serving more than 12,000 students.

Professor Li Haizhou, dean of the School of Artificial Intelligence, delivered a keynote address outlining global AI trends and the university’s evolving AI ecosystem. He highlighted interdisciplinary programs, campus-wide AI applications and breakthroughs in speech information processing and human-computer interaction, underscoring the university’s commitment to innovation-driven education and research.

Oscar Jané Checa, vice-rector for International Relations at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, expressed strong interest in expanding cooperation. “More and more European students want to come to Asia, especially to this area of China,” he said. “The upcoming APEC meetings will create significant opportunities for us to strengthen ties with universities in Shenzhen and Hong Kong.”

Paul Ke, director of the Office of Academic Links at CUHK-Shenzhen, noted that the event provided overseas partners with firsthand exposure to the city. “We are excited about APEC taking place in Shenzhen. This Global Partner Day offers an excellent platform for our guests to experience the real Shenzhen, and we look forward to deepening collaboration with our partners worldwide,” he said.

International delegates visit the headquarters of BGI, a Shenzhen-based high-tech company. Li Jiayi

Representatives from the university’s schools and graduate school held in-depth discussions with international delegates on expanding joint programs and research initiatives. In the afternoon, participants visited the headquarters of BGI, a local high-tech company, gaining insight into Shenzhen’s dynamic innovation ecosystem and technological strength.

Participants pose for a group photo at CUHK-Shenzhen’s 2026 Spring Global Partner Day. Courtesy of CUHK-Shenzhen

To date, CUHK-Shenzhen has established substantive partnerships with 163 institutions across 37 countries and regions, supporting 290 international collaboration projects spanning student exchange, joint research and dual-degree programs.