Strengthening Academic Exchange and School Collaboration between Hong Kong and Shanghai

In September, Dr. Ho, together with four principals from primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong, visited Shanghai for a series of academic and educational exchange activities. The delegation visited Fudan University, Tongji University, and East China Normal University, where they engaged with local academics, students, and educators to exchange perspectives and share insights into the current educational landscapes of Hong Kong and Shanghai.

During the visit, two academic seminars were organised under the themes “School Marketing and the Development of Entrepreneurial School Leaders” and “Current Educational Challenges (AI)”. The seminars were attended primarily by postgraduate and doctoral students in education, providing a valuable platform for dialogue among educators, academics, and students from Hong Kong and Shanghai.

The discussions explored a range of contemporary educational issues, including school marketing, the development of entrepreneurial school leaders, and the opportunities and challenges brought about by artificial intelligence in education. The participating Hong Kong school principals also shared their experiences and perspectives on school education and leadership practices in Hong Kong. Through these exchanges, participants gained a deeper understanding of the educational contexts and practices in both cities while reflecting on emerging challenges and future directions in education and school leadership.

In addition to the academic exchanges at the universities, the delegation visited three primary and secondary schools in Shanghai to gain first-hand insights into their educational philosophies, school environments, educational practices, and development. The visits also provided opportunities for the Hong Kong principals and their Shanghai counterparts to exchange experiences in areas such as school management, teaching and learning, and student development.

The school visits also opened up opportunities for further collaboration between schools in Hong Kong and Shanghai. Several Hong Kong principals and the participating Shanghai schools expressed preliminary intentions to establish future collaboration, laying the groundwork for continued communication and potential school-to-school exchange initiatives.

Extending from academic dialogue at universities to educational practice in primary and secondary schools, the visit fostered meaningful professional exchanges among educators, academics, and students from Hong Kong and Shanghai. It also strengthened connections between schools in the two cities and created opportunities for future collaboration.

Looking ahead, we hope to continue facilitating academic and school-level exchanges between Hong Kong and Shanghai, providing more opportunities for educators and students to share experiences, learn from one another, and explore new possibilities for educational development and collaboration.