“The footpath strewn with fallen blooms is not swept clean;My wicket gate is opened but for you today.” From June 30 to July 5, Kuang Yaming Honors School hosted the “Nanjing and Hong Kong Join Hands to Forge Ahead” Summer Student Exchange Program with Wu Yee Sun College of The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Faculty and students from Kuang Yaming Honors School engaged in a series of activities with a group of nine teachers and students from Wu Yee Sun College, including on-campus science and innovation research, visits to cultural landmarks, recreational and sports activities, and a learning outcome report session.
Welcome Ceremony
On the morning of July 1, the opening ceremony of the exchange program was held at Kuang Yaming Honors School on the Xianlin campus. Gu Cheng, Director of the International Affairs Office (Office of Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao Affairs) at Nanjing University, and Wang Jun, Executive Vice Dean of the Undergraduate School and Dean of Kuang Yaming Honors School, attended the ceremony and delivered speeches. The ceremony was presided over by Zhou Yuan, Party Secretary of Kuang Yaming Honors School.
In his speech, Gu Cheng reviewed the development history, brilliant achievements, and the deep-rooted bond and friendship between the two universities. He mentioned that the collaboration between Kuang Yaming Honors School and Wu Yee Sun College, which has lasted for over a decade, has not only promoted the in-depth academic and cultural communication and integration, but has also been included multiple times in the Ministry of Education’s “Program for Exchangesof Teachers and Students from Higher Education Institutions on the Mainland and those in Hong Kong and Macao,” achieving remarkable results. The exchange visit is not only a reflection and summary of past cooperation but also a vision for a new chapter of future collaboration. He expressed his gratitude to the faculty and students of both institutions for using this exchange to pay tribute to the motherland, showcasing the patriotic spirit and sense of responsibility of young students. He hoped that both colleges would further deepen their friendship, broaden the scope of cooperation, and contribute to the cultivation of more high-quality talents with international competitiveness and social responsibility.
On behalf of all faculty and students of Kuang Yaming Honors School, Wang Jun extended the warmest welcome and heartfelt thanks to the faculty and students of Wu Yee Sun College. He reviewed the long-standing historical ties and deep friendship between the two colleges, emphasizing the close cooperation and mutual support in academic exchanges, talent cultivation, cultural inheritance, and other aspects. Wang Jun mentioned that although Kuang Yaming Honors School and Wu Yee Sun College are located in different regions, both share a common philosophy of pursuing excellence and nurturing talented individuals. Both institutions have achieved outstanding accomplishments in their respective fields and have contributed numerous exceptional talents to society. He particularly highlighted that the exchange visits between the two colleges have not only deepened the understanding and friendship between faculty and students but also facilitated the collision and integration of academic ideas, injecting new vitality into both institutions’ development. He hopes that both sides can seize this opportunity to further broaden the scope of cooperation, deepen the content of cooperation, and jointly explore new paths for the development of higher education, working together to make greater contributions to social progress and the advancement of human civilization.
On behalf of the faculty and students of Wu Yee Sun College, Professor Pan Jiangpeng expressed his gratitude to the faculty and students of Nanjing University. He mentioned that Nanjing University, as a prestigious institution with a long history, has always been at the forefront of academic research and talent cultivation. The students of Wu Yee Sun College come from various disciplines, and this diverse student group shares many similarities with the students of Kuang Yaming Honors School. He believes that future exchanges between the students of both colleges will spark even more brilliant ideas and insights. Professor Pan also expressed his deep anticipation and admiration for Nanjing, a city of history and culture, as well as for the series of events at Nanjing University. He hopes that through this exchange program, the faculty and students of Wu Yee Sun College will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of Nanjing and Nanjing University, and jointly explore new pathways for academic research and cultural inheritance.
Exchange Souvenirs
Kong Bingqing and Cao Lingyun, student volunteer representatives of Kuang Yamin Honors School, and Xue Kailin, student representative of Wu Yee Sun College, delivered exchange speeches respectively. Teacher and student representatives from the two schools exchanged souvenirs and took a group photo to mark the occasion.
Visit the John Rabe Memorial Hall
Tour Fuzimiao, Wuyi Alley, and Enjoy the Scenery of Qinhuai
Visit the Memorial Hall of the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders
Evening Party
During the week-long event, the faculty and students from Kuang Yaming Honors School and Wu Yee Sun College visited the Zuo Dijiang Observatory of Nanjing University Xianlin campus, the Specimen Museum of the School of Life Sciences, and the School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, experiencing the innovative atmosphere and academic culture. They also toured the History Museum of Nanjing University on the Xianlin campus, as well as iconic buildings such as the North Building and Er Yuan Bi on the Gulou campus. In addition, they visited important landmarks including the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Nanjing Ming City Wall, the Yuejiang Tower, the Nanjing Museum, and the Memorial Hall of the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders.At the closing ceremony and the learning outcome report Session, students from both colleges gave group presentations on topics such as “A Comparison of the Cultures of the Two Colleges” and “Exploring the Antique Shops—Our Experiences in Nanjing.” Professor Pan Jiangpeng expressed his gratitude for everyone’s joint efforts, particularly the warm reception and meticulous arrangements made by Kuang Yaming Honors School, which contributed to the success of the exchange event. He also expressed hope for more such opportunities in the future to foster deeper exchanges and cooperation between the two universities. In her closing remarks, Zhou Yuan congratulated everyone on the successful organization of the event and hoped that the exchange between faculty and students from both colleges would become deeper and more enduring, contributing to the cultivation of top innovative talents and the promotion of excellent traditional Chinese culture.
Closing Ceremony and Learning Outcome Report Session
This event not only facilitated in-depth cultural exchange between the faculty and students from both regions, but also witnessed the seamless interaction among students, where intense intellectual exchanges sparked new creative ideas. This event is a vivid embodiment of our school’s commitment to implementing the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important letter, which encourages us to “set an example in strengthening cultural confidence and telling China’s story well.”
It is reported that since 2013, in order to further promote student exchanges between Hong Kong and Mainland China, the Ministry of Education has launched the “Program for Exchanges of Teachers and Students from Higher Education Institutions on the Mainland and those in Hong Kong.” This program involves Mainland Chinese universities collaborating with 12 Hong Kong universities that have degree-granting authority to organize exchange activities. Hong Kong students and faculty are invited to participate in summer courses, exchange student programs, lectures, academic competitions, social services, and other activities in Mainland China. The Ministry of Education provides full or partial funding to teachers and students of Hong Kong universities participating in the program. In 2016, the Ministry expanded this exchange program to include the Macao Special Administrative Region, renaming it the “Program for Exchanges of Teachers and Students from Higher Education Institutions on the Mainland and those in Hong Kong and Macao” (referred to as the “Ten Thousand Students Exchange Program”).
