Xinya College and New Asia College, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), have jointly organized the Summer Exchange Programme from June 30 to July 11. The theme of this year's programme was "What can my discipline do for AI development?" Eight students from Xinya College and six students from New Asia College joined the programme, during which they attended academic lectures and group discussions, visited enterprises, and participated in cultural activities in Beijing and Hong Kong, China. Associate Researcher Pei Xin, the Assistant Director of the Department of Automation at Tsinghua University, and Dr. Chau Chuck-jee, a Lecturer at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering of CUHK, served as co-advisors. Students from across the country and diverse academic backgrounds not only engaged in thoughtful reflection on the role their disciplines could play in the development of AI during the event, but also gained a deeper appreciation of the cultures of both Beijing and Hong Kong, fostering greater mutual understanding and friendship.

Learning · Lectures and Discussions

Centering on the theme "What can my discipline do for AI development?", the programme invited a distinguished lineup of speakers for engaging lectures: Professor Liu Jia, Director of the Department of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences at Tsinghua University; Professor Zhang Changshui, Director of the Institute of Information Processing in the Department of Automation; Professor Lee Ho Man Jimmy, Associate Head of New Asia College, CUHK; Dr. Chau Chuck-jee, Lecturer at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering; and Dr. Szeto Wai Man, Lecturer in the General Education Foundation Programme.

The diverse perspectives presented by the scholars sparked lively debate and deep reflection among the students. Students actively asked questions on topics such as the interdisciplinary integration of AI with various fields, the ethical boundaries of technological advancement, and the balance between creativity and technology, igniting a lively exchange of ideas.

Reflection · Presentation of Outcomes

After initial research and an intensive period of learning and discussion during the event, the students held a results presentation at New Asia College, CUHK, on July 10. Students from both Xinya College and New Asia College were each divided into two groups. They delivered presentations in both Chinese and English on the theme, "What can my discipline do for AI development?" Each group, drawing on their distinct academic backgrounds, offered unique perspectives and presentation styles. Some addressed technical challenges such as data quality management, AI bias, and shortcomings of large language models, exploring the feasibility of a trinity approach to improving AI safety. Others focused on the educational philosophies and general education frameworks of the two colleges, discussing how the balance between "specialization and generalization" can promote AI development. Some envisioned building social frameworks for human-computer interaction, considering how different disciplines can facilitate the realization of a harmonious human-AI society. Still others concentrated on the issues of energy consumption and cooling associated with AI's high computational power, analyzing multiple solutions from various viewpoints.

The discussion, Q&A, and feedback sessions following the presentations fostered multi-dimensional and in-depth thinking among the students.

Exploration · Cultural Experience

Beyond the intensive academic sessions, students also enjoyed a wealth of cultural experiences in both Beijing and Hong Kong. The Capital Museum chronicled the historical evolution of Beijing, while the grand and intricate architecture of the Palace Museum, together with modern landmarks such as the Bird's Nest and Water Cube, conveyed the city's unique vitality and cultural atmosphere. In Hong Kong, the world-class visual art collections at M+ Museum, the dazzling night view of Victoria Harbour under light rain, and the everyday warmth found on ferries and minibuses allowed everyone to experience the city's diversity and cultural fusion.

On July 11, the completion ceremony of the Summer Exchange Programme was held at Yun Chi Hsien, New Asia College, CUHK. Professor Chan Sun-On Hector, Head of New Asia College, CUHK, acknowledged the students' enthusiastic participation and the successful outcomes of the exchange activities, and expressed his expectations for future cooperation between the two colleges. Professor Mei Ciqi, Dean of Xinya College, Tsinghua University, encouraged students to grow and advance together through the collaborative project "Xinya X New Asia = Xinya Square," fostering development in a high-intensity, trust-driven environment for exchange. Afterwards, Head Chan and Dean Mei awarded completion certificates to the students of Xinya College and New Asia College, respectively. The inaugural Xinya College – CUHK New Asia College Summer Exchange Programme concluded successfully.