FHM Hosts Internationalisation Flagship Event ‘Hong Kong Meets Kazakhstan: A Humanities Cultural Crossroads within the Belt & Road’

The Faculty of Humanities (FHM) hosted its flagship internationalisation event ‘Hong Kong Meets Kazakhstan: A Humanities Cultural Crossroads within the Belt & Road’ on 13 December 2024 to promote academic and cultural exchange between Hong Kong and Kazakhstan. 

More than an academic forum, the event demonstrates the transformative power of educational diplomacy and cultural exchange within the Belt and Road Initiative. The event marks the beginning of a sustained platform for intercultural dialogue and collaboration within the field of humanities. It is a vision that encompasses the development of enduring frameworks through joint research, cultural exchange, and academic partnerships, aimed at deepening the understanding of the humanities in both regional and global contexts. 

In his opening remarks, Mr Almas Seitakynov, Consul General of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Hong Kong and Macao SARs, expressed his gratitude to the Kazakhstan government and EdUHK for their comprehensive support of Kazakhstani students pursuing their studies in Hong Kong.

With five keynote speeches and three parallel sessions, speakers and guests explored a variety of topics ranging from multilingual education and literature to cultural, film, and media studies. 

Keynote speakers attending from EdUHK were Prof Angel Lin Mei-yi, Chair Professor of Language, Literacy, and Social Semiotics in Education, as well as Prof Mette Hjort, Chair Professor of Film and Media Studies and Head of the Department of Literature and Cultural Studies. Two keynote speakers, Prof Juldyz Smagulova of KIMEP University and Dr Bridget Goodman of Nazarbayev University, travelled from Kazakhstan for this event. Dr Moldiyar Yergebekov of Akhmet Yasawi International Kazakh-Turkish University gave his keynote speech online.  A special guest, Dr Alima Bissenova of Nazarbayev University, participated in one of the parallel sessions. 

Cultural immersion was facilitated through the arts, with notable performances including two solo pieces on the dombra, a traditional Kazakh musical instrument. The event also featured the screening of a Kazakhstani documentary directed by Katerina Suvorova.   

Approximately 100 students and educators from EdUHK and other local institutions attended the event, with 80 participants from Kazakhstan joining online.

 

 

 

 

Group photo of speakers, guests, and participants

 

 

 

 

Group photo of speakers and guests

 

 

 

 

Parallel session