EdUHK President Professor John Lee Chi-Kin Explores Research and Academic Exchange Opportunities with Oxford University and Durham University
The President of The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) led a delegation from the Faculty of Education and Human Development and Graduate School on 6 and 7 February 2025 to meet leaders and faculty members from Oxford University and Durham University to build tighter academic bonds between EdUHK and these two UK institutions.
The delegation comprised Professor John Lee Chi-Kin, President of EdUHK; Professor May Cheng May-hung, Vice President (Academic); Professor Bruce Macfarlane, Dean of Faculty of Education and Human Development; Professor Michelle Gu Mingyue, Dean of Graduate School; Dr Eva Lau Yi-hung, Acting Head of Department of Early Childhood Education, and Dr Chery Yum Yen-na, Acting Head of Department of Special Education and Counselling.
The delegation was received by the management of the Department of Education at Oxford University, including Professor Victoria Murphy, Director of the Department; Professor Heath Rose, Director for People; Professor Sibel Erduran, Director of Research; alongside distinguished professors including Professor John Furlong, OBE, Emeritus Professor of Education, and Professor Trevor Mutton, Professor of Education; as well as other faculty members from Oxford.
The leaders of the two institutions shared the latest developments in the academic field and a vision of promoting academic excellence, research collaboration, and academic mobility, which will benefit both institutions and the global education field. Faculty members from the two institutions also held individual meetings to explore collaboration based on shared research and academic interests.
Professor Lee said, “Harnessing EdUHK’s academic and research excellence, we are committed to strengthening academic and research collaboration by building international partnerships with top-notch universities and maintaining our leading role in the education field.”
Another highlight of this visit was Professor Lee’s public lecture on “Decolonising Education: The Role of Translanguaging and Trans-knowledging” to Oxford's faculty members and students, which was a full house.
Following the visit to Oxford University, the delegation also visited Durham University, where they were warmly welcomed by Professor Mike Shipman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost of Durham University, and Professor Catherine Montgomery, Deputy Executive Dean of Global (Faculty of Health and Social Sciences). During the visit, the delegation held a collaborative meeting with faculty members of the School of Education and the Department of Psychology, led by Professor Julie Rattray, Head of the School of Education, and Professor Catherine Montgomery. The discussions focused on aligning research and education priorities, identifying shared academic interests, and exploring opportunities for collaboration. Both institutions expressed a strong commitment to fostering deeper academic ties, particularly in areas such as staff and student exchange, peer review for research publications, and visiting scholar programmes.
The delegation also engaged in breakout meetings with researchers specialising in early childhood education, special education, and higher education. These sessions allowed for in-depth discussions on potential joint research projects and initiatives, paving the way for meaningful and impactful collaborations in these key areas.
This visit to the UK highlights EdUHK’s dedication to building global academic partnerships, advancing research excellence, and fostering innovation in education. By forging closer ties with globally renowned institutions like Oxford University and Durham University, EdUHK continues to enhance its position as a leader in education worldwide and will remain committed to contributing to the "Study in Hong Kong" Brand and the development of Hong Kong as an international education hub.
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