Bulletin No. 2, 2021

18 Chinese University Bulletin No.2, 2021 Sowing the Seeds of Change Professor Chan’s strategic vision can be glimpsed from the establishment of two offices under his supervision: the China Engagement Office (CEO) and the Office for Greater Bay Area Developments (GBAO). ‘Despite being two different offices, CEO and GBAO usually work hand-in-hand, like two peas in a pod,’ explained Professor Chan. ‘In the military sense, CEO can be regarded as some sort of “special reconnaissance”, a unit responsible for obtaining information and setting up all sorts of connections with institutions and governments in the GBA and in China. ‘With bridges built and landscape ascertained, GBAO then comes into play—serving as “combat support”, GBAO coordinates the implementations of the GBA development plans by establishing the aforementioned Subsidiaries subsidiaries, joint ventures and collaborative agencies, also assisting University members in areas of scientific research, talent cultivation, industry collaboration, transfer of technology, innovation and entrepreneurship in the GBA.’ For the past 13 years, Professor Chan has witnessed an array of CUHK-GBA partnerships and collaborations coming to fruition. Seeing CUHK's petals blossom across the border is definitely a reward in itself, and to Professor Chan, this experience has taught Be flexible and take the plunge 1 2 3 Strategies on opening up a 'separate branch' of CUHK in the GBA, such as the setting up of CUHK Hong Kong — Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Research Institute (Futian) Joint Ventures Strategies on combining with other institutions in the GBA and China for further GBA developments Collaborative Agencies Strategies on setting up joint and provincial labs for collaborative and academic purposes