WE STAND WITH YOU – Messages of Support from CUHK-Shenzhen International Partners

The recent outbreak of COVID-19 has presented unprecedented challenges to the teaching, research and international cooperation of universities across the country. With more than 100 international partners acround the world, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen is no exception. At this unusually difficult time, it is comforting to receive numerous messages sent from our international partners to express their trust and support.

Santa J. Ono, President & Vice Chancellor of the University of British Columbia (UBC), wrote with deep concerns on January 31:

“Our thoughts and prayers are with you.  We understand that there are students, scholars, and their families from China who are currently studying and working at UBC, many of whom may have ties to your institution. We want to ensure that UBC has resources in place to support them at this challenging moment.”

After receiving the letter, Prof. Shiping ZHU, Vice President of CUHK-Shenzhen replied with sincere gratitude.

"CUHK-Shenzhen has established a close relationship with UBC since 2015. Thank you for your care and support to our students. United, we will overcome the difficulties together."

As one of the earliest international partners of CUHK-Shenzhen, UBC offers a tripartite programme in global supply chain and logistics management together with CUHK-Shenzhen and Copenhagen Business School(CBS)

To minimize the impact of the epidemic on international cooperation, the Office of Academic Links of CUHK-Shenzhen sent messages to a total of 119 universities around the globe that have established or in the process of negotiating partnerships with us, to inform them of the developments of the epidemic and the prevention and control measures adopted by the University. The measures include delaying the start of the spring semester, restricting campus access, offering online teaching and learning and counselling hotlines, ect. The letter also explains the arrangements of exchange students' life and study on campus, which are of great concern of our partners. 

This proactive communication has received a warm response from our international friends.

Many partners expressed their concerns and support to our staff and students in different forms. Some spoke highly of our timely and effective prevention and control measures, and look forward to deepening the relationship between the two parties.

“No matter which direction the situation will be taking, we can assure you that CBS continues to be a committed international partner for CUHK Shenzhen.”

Martin Jes Iversen
Vice Dean of International Education
Copenhagen Business School

“Please know that we will do everything we can to ensure our exchange partnership remains strong.”
Yeon Soo Jung
Sungkyunkwan University

“Just sending best wishes to you all from Stuart Allen, myself and all at the University of Warwick.  We are taking the proposed new partnership to our Partnerships Committee next week and hope to send you good news about the chance to work more closely together.”

Professor Miriam Gifford
School of Life Sciences
 University of Warwick

 “We would like to express our sympathy and solidarity with all our colleagues and partners in view of the difficult situation due to the novel coronavirus.”
Claudia Finner
Technische Universität Darmstadt

“Chinese students are welcome to come here and study with us. If it turns out that one or more is in fact infected, then we’ll make sure they get medical attention.”
Ivana Bonaccorsi
University of California, San Diego

“I just wanted to send a note to thank you for sending out the update on CUHK-Shenzhen's response to the Novel Coronavirus. We are thinking of you and all of our partners and friends in China affected by the recent outbreak. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to support you and your students during this time.”
Leah C. Brink
University of Minnesota

 “Over in Singapore, we are all anxious and concerned with the overall 2019-nCov situation but are optimistic that the problem would eventually be resolved, hopefully sooner, with the diligent cooperation of all parties.”
Chin Wei Ngan
National University of Singapore

 “Many congratulations on your excellent measures for crisis management, which are supportive to the students and to the community at large. In these difficult times our thoughts are with the citizens of Wuhan and indeed all China. Tomorrow will be better. 加油！”

Armida de la Garza
University College Cork

“Many thanks for this update and it sounds like you are doing all you can to contain the virus during a very difficult time indeed. I have been following the news closely and I just wanted to say that at Girton you are in our thoughts and we send you all good wishes.”
Nick Godfrey
Girton College
University of Cambridge

 “We remain on standby and together with you, as we all hopefully ride out the storm together. Please do not hesitate to let us know if you need anything from us / if there is anything we can assist with.”
Geeta Kasanga
Pembroke College
University of Cambridge

 “I hope that you and your loved ones are safe and sound, and that the situation will settle soon. Thank you again for everything you are doing to help our students.”

Marina Petkova
EM Strasbourg Business School

 “Thank you for keeping us updated. We keep our fingers crossed that the virus will get under control soon.”
Nicole Gsell
University of St. Gallen

 “Thank you. Our thoughts are with you and all our colleagues and friends in China at present.”
Brendon Lutwyche
University of Queensland

 “Thanks a lot for the information. We wish you all strength and a speedy return to business as usual!”
Ingeborg Vandenbulcke
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven

In addition to online teaching, CUHK-Shenzhen has also provided an online application system for students to apply for overseas exchange and summer programs in the 2020-2021 academic year. It is expected that the number of students participating in overseas projects will grow steadily this year.