Press Release
Secretary for Education Dr Choi Yuk-lin attends 20th anniversary celebration ceremony of Beijing Normal-Hong Kong Baptist University
Monday, 14 April 2025
Beijing Normal-Hong Kong Baptist University (BNBU) held its 20th anniversary celebration ceremony today (April 14), with the honour of the presence of Dr Choi Yuk-lin, Secretary for Education of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, at its campus in Zhuhai..
Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) and Beijing Normal University collaborated to establish BNBU (formerly known as the Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University United International College) in Zhuhai in 2005. As the first Hong Kong higher education institution to have established a campus in the Mainland, HKBU is the forerunner in cross-border education collaboration in Hong Kong.
Accompanied by Professor Alex Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU, Professor Chen Zhi, President of BNBU, and other university senior management members, Dr Choi toured an exhibition on the history of BNBU and its campus facilities, and joined the University’s 20th anniversary celebration ceremony.
In his address at the anniversary celebration ceremony, Professor Alex Wai pointed out that education is the core momentum that drives progress of society, and the integration and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) calls for joint efforts to facilitate exchange and the nurturing of talent. The establishment of BNBU can integrate Hong Kong’s experience in offering an internationalised education with Zhuhai’s geographical and resource advantages, constructing a bridge that connects knowledge and practice for students and scholars in both locations.
Professor Alex Wai said: “In view of the global revolution in science and technology, the wave of industrial transformation and geopolitical risks, and in response to the huge opportunities emerging from our nation’s ‘14th Five-Year Plan’, the 2024-2035 master plan on building the nation into a leading country in education, and the development of the GBA, HKBU and BNBU need to strengthen their joint efforts to meet the needs of modernisation with Chinese characteristics on education, science and technology, as well as talent development. This is essential in strengthening the supportive role of education in science and technology and talent development, fostering integration and innovation progressively, focusing on social needs, and promoting the translation of scientific research outputs in frontier areas such as digital economy and healthcare, with the objective of contributing to the nation’s robust and quality development. Meanwhile, we will promote the spirit of humanities, and remain dedicated to the fundamental duty of cultivating values and nurturing people in an era when development is driven by technological advancement, nurturing young people who love our homeland and embrace responsibilities.”
BNBU was the first university established under the collaboration between the higher education sectors of the Mainland and Hong Kong. Located in Zhuhai within the GBA, BNBU stands as the first modern university in the Mainland to champion a liberal arts education. In line with its liberal arts ethos, BNBU is committed to enriching the higher education landscape of China, and nurturing new generations of students who possess professional acumen, whole-person development, a deep understanding of the nation and a global outlook.
