- 24 August 2026
In mid-August, The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong (HSUHK) has strengthened its international engagement through a strategic visit to Tampere University in Finland, and University of Stavanger in Norway, further advancing the University's commitment to global collaboration and academic excellence. Professor Joshua Mok, Provost and Vice-President (Academic and Research) had constructive discussions with senior academic leaders resulted in a mutual agreement to pursue closer institutional cooperation in research, academic exchange and student mobility.
During the visit, Professor Mok met with Professor Jussi Kivistö, Head of Social and Administrative Sciences at Tampere University. The discussions focused on areas of shared interest, including higher education development, transdisciplinary research, talent cultivation and international collaboration. Both universities agreed to explore opportunities for long-term partnership through joint research initiatives, scholarly activities and staff and student exchanges.
The collaboration is expected to create valuable opportunities for students and academics from both institutions. Through enhanced academic exchanges and collaborative projects, students will benefit from greater international exposure and cross-cultural learning experiences, while researchers will have expanded opportunities to engage in global knowledge exchange and interdisciplinary scholarship.
Professor Mok said, "In an increasingly interconnected higher education landscape, meaningful international partnerships are more important than ever. HSUHK is committed to building a vibrant global network that enriches students' learning experiences and strengthens impactful research collaboration. Tampere University is internationally recognised for its strengths in higher education research and social sciences, and I am confident that this partnership will create new opportunities for our students and colleagues while strengthening academic ties between Hong Kong and Finland."
Tampere University is one of Finland's leading universities and enjoys an international reputation for its strengths in higher education studies, public policy, social sciences and interdisciplinary research. The new partnership represents an important step in expanding HSUHK's engagement with European institutions and further enhancing the University's international academic presence.
As part of the visit, Professor Mok also delivered a keynote address at the Nordic-East Asia Higher Education Research Symposium 2026, co-hosted by HSUHK's Graduate School and School of Transdisciplinary Studies and its international partners. The symposium brought together around 40 speakers and participants from Europe, the United Kingdom, East Asia, Africa and other regions to examine contemporary developments in higher education from comparative and international perspectives.
The visit underscores HSUHK's ongoing efforts to strengthen international partnerships, advance research excellence and provide students with transformative global learning opportunities. Through collaborations with leading institutions worldwide, HSUHK continues to broaden its international reach and reinforce its position as a forward-looking university committed to impactful scholarship and global engagement.
The Graduate School and the School of Transdisciplinary Studies of The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, in collaboration with Tampere University and the University of Stavanger (Norway), jointly organised the 2026 Nordic–East Asia Higher Education Research Symposium.
For further details, please visit: https://gs.hsu.edu.hk/en/hsuhk-co-hosts-2026-nordic-east-asia-higher-education-research-symposium/ .
