The Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) is pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Fudan University. This five-year partnership strives to deepen collaboration between the two esteemed institutions across various areas, including academic research, exhibitions, talent development, and international cultural exchange. The signing of this MOU strengthens cultural collaboration between two internationally renowned institutions, laying a strong foundation for further cultural exchange between Hong Kong and Shanghai.
The signing ceremony was held at Fudan University yesterday (26 May). The MOU was signed by Dr Xu Zheng, Executive Vice President of Fudan University, and Dr Louis Ng, Museum Director of the HKPM.
Dr Louis Ng, Museum Director of the HKPM, said, “We are honoured to establish a long term partnership with Fudan University, a world-renowned comprehensive research-oriented institution. Fostering cultural exchange with the Mainland and the global community is a core mission of the HKPM. This MOU will enhance collaboration between Hong Kong and Shanghai in cultural heritage and innovation, including exhibition, research, talent development, and international academic collaboration, creating a more connected cultural landscape. As museums’ role in society evolves in response to digital transformation and the changing cultural consumption market, our collaborative research on artificial intelligence will promote the development of smart museums while advancing the application of new technologies for the conservation and dissemination of cultural heritage.”
Under the MOU, the HKPM and Fudan University will collaborate over the next five years in four strategic areas to deepen academic and cultural exchange:
“Exhibition Collaboration” – The HKPM and Fudan University will co-curate and exchange cross-disciplinary exhibitions on traditional arts, Chinese history and culture, and world civilisations, effectively leveraging the strengths of both institutions’ collections and research resources. The HKPM has shared the curatorial insights from the special exhibition “The Origins of Chinese Civilisation” held at the Museum in 2024, in support of the exhibition “Unity in Diversity: Tracing the Origins of Chinese Civilization”, co-organised by Fudan University and the National Cultural Heritage Administration, which is officially unveiled at the university yesterday (26 May).
“Smart Museum” – Fudan University will join hands with the HKPM to research the feasibility of smart museums. The study will explore the application of technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, in areas such as collections management, conservation, curation, research, education, guided tours, operations, and visitor experience, with a view to promoting the highquality development of digital museums.
“Professional Development” – Structured personnel exchange mechanisms will be established to foster collaboration and training in academic research, public education, and exhibition planning. Short-term visits will also be arranged to enhance mutual learning and exchange. In the long term, the HKPM and Fudan University will explore collaborating to offer public-facing museum studies training courses.
“Academic Research” – The HKPM and Fudan University will collaborate on research projects and organise international exchange meetings, forums, and thematic seminars to share academic findings and insights. Following Dr Louis Ng’s keynote lecture at the inaugural Fudan University talk series on museums, hosted by the Museum of Fudan University, the Department of Cultural Heritage and Museology, and the Institute for Archaeological Science in 2024, the HKPM and Fudan University will co-host an international symposium this year to explore how the museum sector can respond to social changes and the challenges posed by new technologies.
As part of the seven leading cultural and artistic programmes presented during the WestK Shanghai Week 2025, the HKPM will stage the “City Rhythms: Chinese Traditional Culture Reinterpreted” exhibition at Shanghai’s ZHANGYUAN from 20 June to 31 July. The exhibition will explore art in the garden by featuring interdisciplinary works by 16 Hong Kong artists, offering a fresh reinterpretation of traditional Chinese gardens and landscapes while exploring the rich cultural narratives of Hong Kong and Shanghai. During the exhibition, Fudan students will be participating as docents and event volunteers, offering hands-on experience to aspiring arts and culture professionals.
Remarks
About the Hong Kong Palace Museum
Through innovative curatorial approaches, the Hong Kong Palace Museum presents priceless treasures from The Palace Museum along with the finest collections from other worldrenowned institutions. The Museum is also in the process of building its own world-class collection. Opened in 2022, the Museum is a leading institution for the study and appreciation of Chinese art and culture and the promotion of dialogue among world civilisations. The Museum is a collaborative project between the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority and The Palace Museum. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust made a donation of HK$3.5 billion for its establishment, as well as some of the annual exhibitions and education programmes in 2023–2031.
Through research, exhibitions, publications, and educational and professional exchange programmes, the Museum builds international partnerships and positions Hong Kong as a global hub for art and culture. A resource that belongs to the local community, the Museum inspires community engagement, fosters dialogue, and promotes creativity and interdisciplinary collaboration.
About Fudan University
Fudan University was founded in 1905 as the first higher education institution established independently by the Chinese. Its name, comprising the two Chinese characters fù (“return”) and dàn (“dawn”), is inspired by the phrase “brilliant are the sunshine and moonlight, again the morning radiance returns at dawn” from A Commentary on The Classic of History, embodying the founders’ aspiration of strengthening the nation through education. After the founding of New China, the university underwent academic restructuring in 1952, evolving into a key comprehensive university excelling in both liberal arts and sciences. In 2000, Fudan University merged with Shanghai Medical University, the first national medical institution independently founded by the Chinese, forming the new Fudan University.
Over its 120-year history, Fudan University has shaped generations of students through its guiding principles: its motto, “scientia et studium, quaestio et cogitatio”, which stands for “rich in knowledge and tenacious of purposes, inquiring with earnestness and reflecting with self practice”; its spirit of “solidarity, service, and sacrifice”; its ethos of “civility, health, unity, and endeavour”; and its academic culture of “diligence, rigour, pragmatism, and innovation”.
About the West Kowloon Cultural District (WestK)
WestK is one of the largest and most ambitious cultural hubs in the world and Hong Kong’s new cultural tourism landmark, spanning 40 hectares alongside Victoria Harbour. WestK comprises a mix of landmark arts and cultural facilities, including world-class museums M+ and the Hong Kong Palace Museum, intricately designed performing arts venues the Xiqu Centre and Freespace, the 11-hectare Art Park with a waterfront promenade, and the upcoming WestK Performing Arts Centre.
Hosting over 1,000 exhibitions, performances, programmes, and events each year, WestK provides a vital platform for both emerging and established artists. WestK welcomes more than 10 million visitors each year, evolving as the international cultural brand of Hong Kong and strengthening the city’s strategic role as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.
https://www.westk.hk
