EdUHK and Universiti Brunei Darussalam Launch Joint Centre Promoting Educational Collaboration along Maritime Silk Road
The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) and Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) jointly launched The Joint Centre for Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment in Education Development (the Joint Centre) on 9 June at the International Conference on Education Development held in Brunei Darussalam. On the same occasion, EdUHK signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with five universities from regions along the Maritime Silk Road (MSR), marking a new milestone in promoting regional connectivity.
First announced in August last year in the presence of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam and Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office of Brunei HRH Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Joint Centre has received strong support from the governments of China and Brunei. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was jointly officiated by H.E. Chen Shaochun, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China (PRC) to Brunei Darussalam; Yang Berhormat Datin Seri Setia Dr Hajah Romaizah binti Haji Md Salleh, Minister of Education of Brunei Darussalam; Professor John Lee Chi-Kin, President of EdUHK; and Dr Hazri Kifle, Vice-Chancellor of UBD. Mr Nicholas Ho Lik-chi, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the PRC’s Commissioner for Belt and Road Initiative, also extended his congratulations via video message.
In her speech, Dr Salleh stated that the establishment of the Joint Centre demonstrates Brunei's firm commitment to promoting educational modernisation and international collaboration at the national level. She noted that the Joint Centre serves not only as a bridge between the two universities, but also a key pillar in realising Brunei’s Wawasan 2035 (Vision 2035) and nurturing future talent. She highly commended its significance for Brunei’s educational development and regional collaboration.
In his address, Professor John Lee Chi-Kin said the establishment of the Joint Centre marks a major milestone on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Brunei in their education cooperation under the Maritime Silk Road framework. He expressed anticipation that the Centre would generate greater regional impact and bring tangible benefits to communities along the MSR. Dr Kifle added that the collaboration between the two universities and the creation of the Centre would open new educational opportunities for learners in Brunei and beyond.
The Joint Centre will serve as a platform for collaborative research, professional training, curriculum innovation, educational leadership development, and evidence-based educational practices. It aims to further enhance the educational capabilities of both universities, promote educational research and innovation, and foster cooperation among universities, government institutions, and educators.
To mark the launch of the Joint Centre, representatives from five higher education institutions along the Maritime Silk Road -- EdUHK, UBD, the Philippine Normal University, the National University of Laos, and University of Social Sciences and Humanities Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City -- signed MoUs during the conference. This establishes a strategic university alliance dedicated to advancing educational development and innovation.
During the conference, President John Lee Chi-Kin and Professor May Cheng May-hung, Vice President (Academic) of EdUHK, visited Ambassador Chen Shaochun. Ambassador Chen highlighted the close ties and solid foundation of cooperation between China and Brunei, underscoring their long history of friendly exchanges since the emergence of the Maritime Silk Road, during which Admiral Zheng He visited Brunei twice on his voyages. He highly commended EdUHK's proactive role in promoting regional connectivity and emphasised that the Embassy would continue to support the Joint Centre in playing a pivotal role in advancing Chinese language and regional education cooperation. Professor Lee and Professor Cheng expressed their gratitude for the Embassy's longstanding support of the collaboration between the two universities.
The two-day conference focused on cutting-edge topics including technology and pedagogical transformation, equitable and inclusive learning environments, sustainability and values education, as well as educational leadership. It attracted over 300 scholars, educators, and government representatives from countries and regions along the MSR, including Brunei, HKSAR, Malaysia, the Philippines, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, Laos, and Vietnam.
Professor Lee and Professor Cheng delivered keynote speeches. Other EdUHK scholars also contributed to the forums and parallel workshops, including Professor Wang Minjuan, Assistant Vice President (Interdisciplinary Studies and Partnership); Professor Zachary M Walker, Head of the Department of Education Policy and Leadership; and Dr Gary Cheng Kwok-shing, Director of the Centre for Learning, Teaching and Technology.
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EdUHK and Universiti Brunei Darussalam Launch Joint Centre Promoting Educational Collaboration along Maritime Silk Road
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