Webinar: Academic cooperation with Hong Kong

11:00 - Welcome
Renilde Knevels, Policy Advisor Internationalisation, Flemish Higher Education Council (VLUHR)

11:05 - Academic relations between Belgium and Hong Kong
Eva Morre, Deputy Consul General, Consulate General of Belgium in Hong Kong

This talk will touch upon the following topics:

• Hong Kong: China in 1 country, 2 systems

• Short overview of academic landscape in Hong Kong

• Potential for future collaborations

• What can the BE Consulate General in Hong Kong do for Flemish HEI?

11:20 - Introduction to the UGC and research cooperation between Belgium and Hong Kong
Prof. James Tang, Secretary General, University Grants Committee

The University Grants Committee (UGC) is the non-statutory body which advises the Government of the SAR on the funding and strategic development of higher education in Hong Kong. In this role, the UGC works with Institutions, the Administration and the Community to promote excellence in the higher education sector, with a view to establishing Hong Kong as the education hub of the region and to nurturing high quality people to promote the economic and social development of Hong Kong.

11:35 - Academic cooperation with Asia's World City: Things to Know
Prof. Bert George, Associate Dean for Engagement and Knowledge Transfer, Director of CityU research cluster on Brain, Behavior and Society (CUBBS) College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS), City University of Hong Kong

What makes Hong Kong universities tick? What do they care about? Which issues are they focusing on and what are their long-term strategies and values? Where do they differ from and potentially align with Belgian universities? Professor Bert George will discuss his perspective on Hong Kong's higher education landscape by answering these (and other questions). Like all business in Hong Kong, the potential is vast but so are the pitfalls. This webinar seeks to support an informed perspective on how to do business with Hong Kong universities.

11:50 - Academic cooperation with Hong Kong: insights from Flemish higher education institutions

• 11:50 - Global engagement and Innovation: Longstanding collaboration with partner institutions in Hong Kong (Ghent University)
  Inge Mangelschots, Policy Officer, Coordinator East Asia Platform and Sylvia Gildemyn, EU Account Manager, EU Team
  
  With this presentation, Ghent University aims to highlight its longstanding collaboration with academic partners in Hong Kong. Over the years, these partnerships have fostered student and staff mobility, knowledge exchange, and innovation. By showcasing these achievements, we reaffirm the importance of maintaining strong and friendly ties with Hong Kong as a key hub for academic excellence and global engagement. The second part of the presentation will show how Horizon Europe, the EU’s Framework Programme for research and development, can serve as an opportunity to establish or strengthen research collaborations with Hong Kong.

• 12:05 - Bridging Horizons: Partnerships in Hong Kong (KU Leuven)
  Kristien Stessens, Secretary KU Leuven Advisory Committee on the Chinese Region and Caressa Cornelis, Policy Adviser International Relations
  
  This presentation explores the multifaceted relationships we maintain with partner institutions in Hong Kong. From central strategy to faculty-level initiatives, alumni chapters, and network engagement, it offers practical insights on how to sustain meaningful connections amid a shifting landscape.

12:20 - Q & A
Moderator: Lieve Coninx, Policy Advisor Internationalisation, VLUHR

12:28 - Key take-aways and conclusions
Renilde Knevels, Policy Advisor Internationalisation, VLUHR