The event was attended by Mr Patrick Chong Kong-sang, Deputy Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong of the HKSAR Government, who took part in the exchange session. The seminar featured Prof S. Joe Qin, President and Wai Kee Kau Chair Professor of Data Science of Lingnan University; Prof Lau Chi-pang, Special Advisor to the President on Publicity cum Director of Communications and Public Affairs of Lingnan University, and Chairman of the Legislative Council Panel on Education; Prof Xu Zidong, Senior Lingnan Scholar of the Lingnan University Institute for Advanced Study; and Ms Zhu Ke, Head and Chief Correspondent (Hong Kong SAR) of the Communication Centre of Guangdong Radio and Television Station. Drawing on perspectives from history, culture, and educational development, the speakers discussed how liberal arts education could meet the talent development needs of the digital era.
Mr Patrick Chong Kong-sang, Deputy Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong of the HKSAR Government said: “With the Government’s full commitment to developing Hong Kong into an education hub, coupled with the support of a series of policy measures, Hong Kong’s higher education system has again excelled. According to the latest 2027 World University Rankings published by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), an international higher education institution, the eight universities funded by the University Grants Committee (UGC) have achieved outstanding results, with five of them maintaining their positions among the world’s top 100, fully demonstrating the international outlook and excellence of Hong Kong’s higher education sector. The HKSAR Government is actively advancing the ‘Study in Hong Kong’ brand, with the aim of developing Hong Kong into an international higher education hub and attracting more outstanding students to pursue their studies in Hong Kong. The Government will also continue to strengthen cooperation with cities in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area, facilitating the two-way flow of talents within the region. We welcome Lingnan University’s continued active participation and effort in the educational collaboration and talent exchange within the Greater Bay Area.”
In his opening remarks, Prof S. Joe Qin mentioned that Lingnan’s origins can be traced back to Guangzhou, making it particularly meaningful to discuss the future of education on this special anniversary, saying “The National 15th Five-Year Plan calls for the coordinated advancement of our strengths in education, science and technology, and talent development. This reflects society’s growing need for research talent equipped with cultural literacy, innovative capabilities, and a strong sense of social responsibility. Universities should encourage younger generations to study history and strengthen their cultural foundations. This helps them build critical thinking and discernment in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing digital age, allowing them to anchor themselves in Hong Kong while developing a true understanding of our nation’s development.”
Prof Lau Chi-pang, who is also Professor of the Department of History, said that Lingnan University’s development bears witness to the long-standing and close cultural and educational ties between Guangzhou and Hong Kong, adding “Lingnan’s historical origins can be traced back to the Christian College in China, founded in Guangzhou in 1888. During its 138-year history, the University was forced to relocate three times during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression before eventually being re-established in Hong Kong, and undergoing successive stages of development. Even in the most challenging circumstances, generations of faculty members and students remained steadfast in their pursuit of knowledge and commitment to education, and this spirit remains worthy of our appreciation and inheritance today.”
Prof Xu Zidong, said “The historical origins and intellectual continuity between Lingnan University in Hong Kong today and the original Lingnan University founded in Guangzhou over a century ago are not sustained by the legacy of any single eminent scholar. Nor are they defined solely by Prof Chen Yinke’s distinctive historiographical approach of mutual illumination between poetry and history, which integrates literary imagination with historical enquiry. Rather, what continues to sustain the Lingnan academic tradition is the enduring spirit of ‘independence of mind and freedom of thought’, which, in the contemporary age of artificial intelligence, is finding renewed resonance and intellectual vitality.”
Every half hour, from 7:00 to 9:30pm, Guangzhou Tower illuminated the message: “Lingnan University retains World No. 1 in Quality Education in the THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026.” The display highlighted the strength of Hong Kong’s higher education sector, demonstrating the city’s unique advantages of “enjoying strong support of the Motherland and being closely connected to the world” and “One Country, Two Systems”, while contributing to China’s endeavour to becoming a leading nation in education, science and technology, and talent development.
Ms Zhu Ke, said “Originating in Guangzhou and now deeply implanted in the Greater Bay Area, Lingnan University finds immense significance in preparing for the future of liberal arts education on this HKSAR Establishment Day. The special illumination of Canton Tower to celebrate Lingnan ranking first internationally for Quality Education is not only an important milestone for the University, but also a testament to the cultural and educational strength of the GBA. As a media professional, I firmly believe that our responsibility lies in connecting the GBA through vibrant and compelling narratives, and I look forward to exploring more communication channels, so that the younger generation can see the continuity of the Lingnan heritage and the infinite possibilities of the GBA higher education in the digital era.”
Lingnan achieved another historic breakthrough in the THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026, rising to 63rd place globally and entering the top 100 for the first time. The University also retained its world No. 1 position in SDG 4: Quality Education for the second consecutive year. In addition, Lingnan ranked first in Hong Kong in six Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while seven SDGs were placed among the top 100 worldwide.
In recent years, Lingnan has actively promoted the integration of “Liberal Arts Education + Technology”. It was among the first universities in the world to provide free access to generative artificial intelligence tools for all students and staff, and to make AI literacy a compulsory course to support equal learning. Lingnan also encourages interdisciplinary research and humanitarian innovation and technology to address pressing societal challenges and reach the United Nations SDGs. In this manner, Lingnan is cultivating a new generation of research talent equipped with innovative capabilities and a universal outlook for the digital age.