HONG KONG, Nov. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — In light of the Government’s recent Policy Address promoting Hong Kong as an international hub for post-secondary education, and to build the “Study in Hong Kong” brand, Lingnan University gave its annual International Day on 29 October a “Cultural Fusion, Global Vision” theme. The event attracted about 500 faculty members and students for a lively celebration of diversity and cultural exchange.

Dynamic performances included K-pop dancing, Pakistani music, and traditional Kazakh instrumentals. Booths from 11 countries and regions, including those involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, such as Mainland China, Germany, Japan, Kazakhstan, and Mexico, provided everyone with an immersive cultural experience. Each booth offered local foods, crafts, and games, creating an interactive and colourful multicultural adventure on campus.

In his speech, Prof S. Joe Qin, President and Wai Kee Kau Chair Professor of Data Science, highlighted Lingnan’s progress, saying “I am pleased to share with you some encouraging achievements in our internationalisation efforts. This semester, we have welcomed over 180 exchange students from more than 20 countries, including Mainland China, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Poland, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States. Additionally, we have many international students pursuing their degrees here. This diversity enriches our campus, providing invaluable opportunities for students to interact with peers from various backgrounds and to learn about different cultures.”

President Qin said that Lingnan has also established a network of over 270 international exchange partners in more than 50 countries and regions, and this semester 90 Lingnan students have gone on exchanges to 17 countries, including Mainland China, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Lithuania, Norway, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. He added that another 92 students will participate in exchange programs next semester: “We believe this will enhance collaboration with counterparts around the world in promoting the ‘Study in Hong Kong‘ brand on a global scale, and attracting global talent to pursue their dreams in Hong Kong, which will, in turn, inject new impetus into Hong Kong’s social and economic growth.”

President Qin also expressed his delight in seeing the purposeful strides made welcoming international students to study at Lingnan and facilitating opportunities for Lingnan students to study abroad. With students’ whole-person development and well-being as top priorities, he is confident that the University is on the right path to presenting them with opportunities to grow and excel in an increasingly interconnected world.