A delegation led by Professor Dr. Amon Murwira, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of the Republic of Zimbabwe, visited the Li Ka Shing School of Professional and Continuing Education of the Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU LiPACE). Also in the visiting group are the Ambassador of the Republic of Zimbabwe to China, Abigail Shoniwa, and the Consul General of Zimbabwe in HK, Mr. Ellias Mutamba. The group was received by President Prof. Paul LAM Kwan-sing, Provost Prof. Reggie KWAN Ching-ping and Dean of LiPACE, Dr Benjamin CHAN Tak-yuen. The highlight of the Minister’s visit was to view the Zimbabwe Corner set up on campus with a replica of camping site in Victoria Falls and also showcasing the “Great Zimbabwe” UNESCO World Heritage site.
HKMU LiPACE has signed an MOU with the Consulate General of Zimbabwe in HK in March this year to promote academic and cultural exchanges between the two places. Previously, the two sides collaborated on a cultural activity to introduce Zimbabwe’s culture, tourism and food to LiPACE students in October 2024. The said internationalization-at-home learning experience was well received by students and which led to the setting up of the Zimbabwe Corner to allow the fervour to settle in. Dean of LiPACE Dr. Benjamin Chan expressed his optimism about the next phase of collaboration which would include both local and overseas elements. For example, after learning more about the natural wonders of Zimbabwe and its touristic attractions, LiPACE students in tourism and hospitality could help promote this foreign country to the HK audience in local fairs/exhibitions.
In the discussion are plans for LiPACE students to go on study visits to Zimbabwe’s capital Harare and its second city Bulawayo. “Both LiPACE and the Harare Polytechnic are members of the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics and that’s where the connection can be traced”, said Dean Chan. Zimbabwe’s higher vocational education system shares many similarities with Hong Kong especially in the award of Higher Diplomas with option to articulate later to an applied degree (Bachelor of Technology). There are several areas which students in LiPACE’s health and molecular testing can benefit through a study trip such as applied genetic testing, plant related biotechnology applications, etc. Certainly, for students to be able to see in person the mighty force of the Victoria Falls can be a once in a life-time experience not to be missed out. The planned study visit can provide a valuable outward exchange opportunity under the backdrop of the “Belt and Road” initiative where young people clearly have a stake for their future.
津巴布韋外交與國際貿易部部長阿蒙·穆爾維拉（Professor Dr. Amon Murwira）率領的代表團，於今天到訪香港都會大學李嘉誠專業進修學院 （HKMU LiPACE）。隨行出席的成員包括津巴布韋駐中國大使阿比蓋爾·紹尼瓦（Abigail Shoniwa）以及津巴布韋駐香港總領事Ellias Mutamba先生。代表團由香港都會大學校長林群聲教授、學術副校長關清平教授以及李嘉誠專業進修學院院長曾德源博士接待。此次來訪的一大亮點是參觀香港都會大學李嘉誠專業進修學院位於葵興校園內設立的津巴布韋區，該區以津巴布韋維多利亞瀑布的營地為設計原型，並展示了聯合國教科文組織世界遺產「大津巴布韋遺址」（Great Zimbabwe）。
香港都會大學李嘉誠專業進修學院於今年3月與津巴布韋駐港總領事館簽署了一份合作備忘錄（MOU），以促進兩地之間的學術與文化交流。此前，雙方於2024年10月合辦了一場「在地國際化」的文化體驗活動，向學生展示了津巴布韋的文化、旅遊及美食。這次學習體驗深受學生歡迎，並促成了其後津巴布韋區的設立，讓學習的熱情得以延續。李嘉誠專業進修學院院長曾德源博士表示，對雙方下一階段的合作充滿期待，未來的合作將結合本地及海外元素，例如於學院就讀旅遊及款待業的學生，於深入了解津巴布韋的自然奇觀和旅遊景點後，可以在本地的展覽或博覽活動中向香港市民介紹及推廣這個國家。
雙方於到訪期間討論了安排李嘉誠專業進修學院學生前往津巴布韋首都哈拉雷（Harare）及第二大城市布拉瓦約（Bulawayo）進行學習交流的計劃。曾院長表示：「李嘉誠專業進修學院與哈拉雷理工學院（Harare Polytechnic）同為世界職業學院與理工學院聯盟（World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics）的成員，這正是雙方建立聯繫的基礎。」津巴布韋的高等職業教育體系與香港有許多相似之處，特別是在高級文憑頒授及其後銜接應用（科技學士）學位方面。於學院就謮健康與分子檢測高級文憑的學生通過這些交流學習，在應用基因檢測、植物相關生物技術應用等領域將會獲益匪淺。此外，有機會親眼目睹維多利亞瀑布的壯麗景象，對學生來說無疑是一生難得的體驗。這次計劃中的海外交流，將為學生提供一個寶貴的學習機會，並在「一帶一路」倡議的背景下，讓年輕人為自己的未來奠定基礎。
