From May 12 to 18, 2025, a student and staff exchange delegation from The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) visited Shandong University of Finance and Economics (SDUFE) for a seven-day academic and cultural exchange programme. Co-organized by EdUHK’s Department of Education Policy and Leadership (EPL), SDUFE’s International Office, School of Public Administration and Policy, and School of International Education, this event marked the first face-to-face, in-depth exchange since the two universities formally established an institutional partnership in 2024. The initiative aims to deepen inter-university collaboration and foster educational resource sharing between Shandong and Hong Kong.
Warm Welcome in the City of Springs (Jinan, Shandong)
On May 12, the EdUHK delegation arrived at Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport, receiving a warm welcome from SDUFE faculty and students. That evening, SDUFE hosted a welcome banquet, setting a warm and welcoming tone for the exchange activities.
Prof. Jia Haiyan, Dean of SDUFE’s School of Public Administration and Policy, delivered a welcoming speech
Students from both universities bonded over authentic Shandong cuisine
Academic Dialogue and In-Depth Exchange
On the morning of May 13, the opening ceremony was held at SDUFE’s Yanshan Campus. Dr. LEE Tai Hoi Theodore, Associate Head of EPL, alongside SDUFE Vice President Peng Hongfeng and representatives from both universities, attended the event. Professor Anatoly V. Oleksiyenko, Acting Head of the EPL, and Dr. Ho Chun Sing Maxwell, Assistant Professor, delivered video messages in support of the exchange. The EdUHK student representative shared his cultural expectations and visions for collaboration, while the SDUFE student representative recounted their experiences during their visit to EdUHK in 2024. The ceremony concluded with the exchange of university and departmental gifts, symbolizing the enduring friendship between the two institutions.
Dr. Lee Tai Hoi Theodore delivered a speech on-site
EdUHK student representative Wong Ho Chak, a fourth-year Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Executive Management student shared his thoughts
SDUFE presented EdUHK with a renowned painting, Autumn Colors on the Que and Hua Mountains, as a university gift
The School of Public Administration and Policy gifted a Cinnabar Painting to the EPL
Following the ceremony, the EdUHK delegation visited SDUFE’s School of Art and Haidai Art Museum, experiencing the campus’s academic atmosphere. They also attended a lecture by Professor Fan Zhenghong titled Essentials of Qilu Culture in the Context of Chinese Civilization, gaining insights into Shandong’s profound cultural heritage.
The Associate Head Song Shulin introduced School of Art to the delegation
Prof. Fan Zhenghong provided lecture to the delegation
In the afternoon, the delegation travelled to SDUFE’s Zhangqiu Campus, where they participated in a lecture by Dr. Zhang Baofeng on Public Governance and Non-Profit Organization Management in China. The session featured lively discussion on modern governance issues and opportunities. After touring the campus’s history museum and library, students from both universities engaged in friendship-building activities, including music performances, gift exchanges, and heartfelt conversations. The event concluded with students exchanging keepsakes and expressing hopes to meet again in the future.
Dr. Zhang Baofeng explained public governance in an interesting way
Memorable moments during the friendship-building activity
The first two days of the EdUHK delegation’s visit were both intensive and rewarding, fostering rich academic dialogue and forging connections among the young participants. In the coming days, the delegation will delve into the origins of Confucian culture, ascend Mount Tai, and conclude with a summary of the exchange outcomes.
