On September 20, 2023, the Graduate School (GS) and Student Affairs Office (SAO) jointly organized a seminar titled "Open Option: Further Education in Mainland." The seminar was co-hosted by Professor Gu, the Dean of The Graduate School, and Dr. Hui, the Dean of Students. Esteemed speakers from the Beijing-Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre (BHKAEC) were invited to share their expertise, including Manager Mr. Calvin Wong, Executive Assistant Ms. Lee Tan Wa, and Ms. April Cheung, a successful applicant to Beijing Language University's doctoral program through the BHKAEC. Over 20 students and staff members participated in the event in person.

The seminar commenced with a presentation by Mr. Calvin Wong, who provided a historical overview and detailed the services offered by the BHKAEC. Since its establishment, the organization has assisted over ten thousand Hong Kong students in preparing for exams and navigating the application procedures for mainland Chinese universities. Recognized as an official cooperative institution by the Chinese Ministry of Education, the BHKAEC boasts a remarkable success rate of close to 50% for applicants. As a non-profit organization, it has been steadfast in providing solid and professional support to Hong Kong students seeking to pursue higher education in mainland China.

Subsequently, Ms. April Cheung, an alumna of EDUHK, shared her personal journey of applying to Beijing Language University through the BHKAEC. She captivated the audience by vividly describing her doctoral experience in Beijing. During her academic journey in mainland China, she not only found an exceptional mentor specializing in Ming and Qing literature research (her doctoral supervisor), but also experienced a vibrant university life and participated in academic activities that greatly broadened her horizons and solidified her passion for pursuing scholarly endeavors in the future.

The seminar concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, where participants had the opportunity to directly engage with the BHKAEC speakers and address any concerns or queries they had regarding their own applications.

The seminar on "Open Option: Further Education in Mainland" organized by The Graduate School and the Student Affairs Office proved to be an informative and engaging event, equipping Hong Kong students with valuable information and insights into pursuing postgraduate studies in mainland China. The collaboration with the BHKAEC provided attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the application process, and Ms. April Cheung's personal experiences served as an inspiration for those considering further studies in mainland universities.