The central government will set up a dedicated fund to aid 1,000 Hong Kong University (HKU) teachers and students to visit the mainland every year, starting in 2012, visiting Vice Premier Li Keqiang said during a visit to HKU Thursday.
Li attended and addressed a celebration ceremony marking the centennial anniversary of the founding of the university.
Li announced that the central government will set up a dedicated fund to aid 1,000 HKU teachers and students to visit the mainland every year, starting in 2012. In addition, other universities in Hong Kong are encouraged to cooperate with mainland universities in order to promote educational and technological sectors in the two sides to grow together.
“The prosperity of Hong Kong and the nation requires thousands of talented people who master modern technologies and are familiar with current situation of the country. Therefore, cooperation on education between the two sides is needed,” Li said.
He added that HKU has nurtured over 130,000 alumni, including Chinese revolutionary forerunner Sun Yat-sen, over the past century, including many talented people with professional skills and integrity that have made great contributions to Hong Kong’s prosperity.
According to Li, HKU has yielded a rich harvest of academic success. While nurturing professionals, the university has continued broadening many aspects of academic research. Many fields of study, including medical studies, have reached the world’s top level.
By fully applying the advantage of connecting the East and the West, HKU has become one of the top universities in the world and the honor of Hong Kong as well as the nation, Li said.
On behalf of the central government, Li extended warm congratulations to the centennial anniversary of the founding of HKU and sent best wishes to teachers and students of the university and its overseas alumni.
Xinhua