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Higher vision, stronger commitment, together for future – UIC inaugurates Prof Chen Zhi as 3rd President

Published on 20 September 2024

"In the days ahead, I will uphold an open, inclusive, and collaborative approach to provide diverse and high-quality learning and development opportunities for our faculty and students." On 20 September 2024, UIC celebrated a significant milestone with its newly appointed President, Prof Chen Zhi, who addressed the audience in the inauguration ceremony.

Entrusted by the UIC Council, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU Prof Alexander Wai presented the certificate of appointment to Prof Chen.

With UIC's educational philosophy and history of 20 years in mind, Prof Chen Zhi, as its third president, was determined to continue its commitment to enriching the higher education landscape.

Prof Chen Zhi, UIC's third President

President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU Prof Alexander Wai

Group photo of guests and senior management from UIC, BNU and HKBU

He believed that as the first modern college in the Chinese mainland to champion a liberal arts education, UIC bears the dual responsibility of imparting knowledge and nurturing future leaders and innovators.

Having previously served here as Vice President (Academic) and then Provost, Prof Chen is no stranger to UIC. After witnessing the rapid development of UIC and the deep cooperation among its two parent universities, Beijing Normal University (BNU) and Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), he understood that innovation, transformation and more communication in education are crucial in the digital era.

"We will continue to adhere to our mission, pursue our aspirations, and contribute significantly to the field of higher education," he added.

Now, as a more seasoned educator, Prof Chen has been ready to embark on the journey as UIC's third President with high expectations.

During the ceremony, UIC Provost and Acting Associate Vice President (Internationalisation) Prof Patrick Chau, and UIC Party Secretary of the College Party Committee and Vice President (Administration) Prof Mao Yaqing, introduced the new President, detailing his academic achievements and vision for UIC, respectively.

Prof Patrick Chau

Prof Mao Yaqing

UIC Vice President (Academic) Prof Zhou Yongming presides over the ceremony

Deputy Secretary of the CPC BNU Committee, Prof Wei Wei, said that Prof Chen has made a lot of contributions to the higher education of both the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong, when reading a congratulatory letter from BNU. BNU believed that under his leadership, UIC would continue to construct a top-tier liberal arts university while leveraging resources from the two parent institutions and his experience.

Prof Wei Wei

HKBU Vice-President (Teaching and Learning) Dr Albert Chau encouraged more collaboration ahead. "As we stand at the threshold of this promising new era, we look forward to more in-depth cooperation between the two institutions, from two different aspects in academic development, scientific research, and student exchange," he said, "contributing to the flourishing of the Greater Bay Area."

Dr Albert Chau

Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the second President of UIC, Prof Tang Tao congratulated on Prof Chen's appointment. As his good colleague and friend, Prof Tang believed that Prof Chen, a world-renowned scholar and researcher in Chinese Studies, would continue to enrich the connotation of liberal arts education and lead UIC to a higher level.

Prof Tang Tao

Faculty, students, alumni, and friends attended the event both online and offline, extending their blessings to Prof Chen and UIC. The attended guests included the Founding President of UIC, Prof Ng Ching-Fai; Senior Advisor to the HKBU President, Prof Rick Wong; Deputy Director and General Secretary of the Administrative Committee of BNU Zhuhai, Dr Dai Wei; Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Visiting Professor of the Institute for Advanced Study of UIC, Prof Ruan Yongbin.