Professor Jia Jiyou and Dr Miao Rong from the Graduate School of Education,  Peking University (PKU) led a team of seven postgraduate students to visit The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) in April 2023, to discuss and plan for the project, as part of a partnership agreement signed in March 2023. The partnership aims to enhance academic collaboration between the two universities on various fronts. In the coming five years, both institutions will undertake scholarly exchange and research collaboration to facilitate inter-university research initiatives, and jointly organise academic conferences and professional training courses, as well as facilitate summer exchange programmes for students.

The delegation met with the EdUHK team to discuss and exchange ideas on a collaborative project, entitled ‘Technology-enabled Futures of Education: Harnessing Emerging Technologies to enhance Education Equity, Quality and Efficiency’. The project is led by Professor Chetwyn Chan Che-hin, Vice President (Research and Development), and Professor Lim Cher Ping, Associate Dean (International Engagement) of the Faculty of Education and Human Development (FEHD), EdUHK. It explores how emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence can enable personalised learning, support teacher professional development and facilitate curriculum reform through digital transformation. 

During their visit, Professor Jia and Dr Miao delivered a public lecture to present the findings of their research project ‘Math Intelligent Assessment and Tutoring System 2.0’, and its related studies, as well as the applications of wearable technologies in education. The lecture was followed by a panel discussion chaired by Professor Chan, with panel members including Professor Jia, Dr Miao, Professor Philip Yu Leung-ho, Head of the Department of Mathematics and Information Technology; and Dr Annie Li Yixun, Assistant Professor at the Department of Early Childhood Education. 

The postgraduate students from PKU joined in a seminar organised by EdUHK post-doctoral and postgraduate students, in which students from both parties introduced their own research topics and exchanged views.

The delegation also visited the EdUHK Jockey Club Primary School. They observed a MicroBit + Scratch coding lesson to learn how the school implements STEM education in its curriculum, and spoke about the development of STEM education in schools in mainland China. In addition, the delegation toured the University’s Future Classrooms such as the Extended Reality Room, STEM Innovation Hub, Video Production Room, and the Mobile Computing Laboratory to experience innovative learning and teaching with the cutting-edge educational technologies.

The visit provided an opportunity for project members and students from the two universities to network, and consolidate current project outcomes and work plans outlining the next steps. The exchange also helped strengthen collaboration, leveraging the education expertise of both parties to contribute to the equity, quality, and efficiency of education in China.