The Graduate School of the Hang Seng University of Hong Kong (HSUHK), in collaboration with the Asia Pacific Higher Education Research Partnership (APHERP), successfully organized a 5-day professional training programme themed "International Higher Education Innovation and Management" for the Faculty of Foreign Languages from the Guangdong University of Science and Technology (GDUST) from 23 to 27 September 2024.

A group of 25 delegates, including scholars, faculty members, and senior administrators actively participated in this 5-day professional training programme. The programme aims to enhance the teaching capabilities of faculty at the GDUST. The training curriculum was meticulously designed to align closely with the new objectives and tasks of international higher education development, encompassing topics such as international management concepts, digital course construction, artificial intelligence innovation, and cross-cultural communication skills. The training also incorporated good practice sharing in curriculum design and pedagogy reform taken place at HSUHK to embrace new technology in enhancing teaching and student learning. The delegates also visited the School of Graduate Studies at Lingnan University, where they discussed its challenges and opportunities in higher education management and exchanged views on its student learning enhancement programmes, especially at the postgraduate level.

The delegates expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to visit two universities dedicated to advancing liberal arts education. They recognised Hong Kong's unique position as a leading international higher education hub in Asia, further enhancing their appreciation for the region's academic landscape. This exchange of professional experiences not only fostered dynamic discussions but also deepened their understanding of HSUHK's distinctive "Liberal & Professional" education model.

Following the successful completion of professional training for their second cohort of faculty members, the senior management of GDUST commended the quality and management of the training programme. Through such exchanges, the HSUHK and GDUST will continue to promote inter-university collaboration, co-creating better learning opportunities for GDUST students aspiring to pursue postgraduate studies at HSUHK.

Both institutions believe that such collaborations are vital for advancing higher education in the Greater Bay Area, nurturing a vibrant and globally competitive academic environment. Through these exchanges, they are not only enriching their own educational practices but also contributing to the broader landscape of higher education in the region.