The Chinese University of Hong Kong and INHE Group Sign MoU to Alleviate Energy Crisis in Africa
The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with INHE Group (INHE) in March. The two parties will join hands in collecting and analysing electricity consumption data in Africa, as well as conducting research in product and service development, evaluation and promotion.
Over a virtual ceremony, the MoU was signed by Prof. Lin Zhou, Dean of CUHK Business School, Mr. Jianping Zhu, Assistant to the Chairman of INHE Group and Mr. Wei Liu, Dean of INHE Electric Power Research Institute. Prof. Seen-Meng Chew, Associate Dean (External Engagement) of CUHK Business School and Prof. Mandy Hu, Associate Professor of Department of Marketing of CUHK Business School also attended the event to witness the remarkable moment.
The five-year collaboration, dated until 2027, aims to alleviate the energy crisis in Africa. Under the MoU, INHE will be in charge of data collection and energy infrastructure support, leveraging its footprint in the region over the past decade. Harnessing its research capacity, CUHK Business School will be responsible for analysing local electricity consumption behaviours and improving power production efficiency.
Prof. Lin Zhou, Dean of CUHK Business School (upper screen), Mr. Wei Liu, Dean of INHE Electric Power Research Institute (left on the bottom screen) and Mr. Jianping Zhu, Assistant to the Chairman of INHE Group (right on the bottom screen) jointly signed the MoU.
Prof. Lin Zhou, Dean of CUHK Business School, believes that the collaboration will bring Africa a step closer to its active participation in the global economy over a wide spectrum. From electricity economics to education development in Africa, the collaboration seeks to provide support for enterprises and research, as well as contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.
“CUHK Business School embraces a global perspective and connects the Greater Bay Area with the world, and is determined to create a better future for all. We hope that this collaboration will help promote a sustainable business environment and contribute to the socio-economic development of Africa and the world at large.”
Prof. Mandy Hu, Associate Professor of Department of Marketing of CUHK Business School, Director of Centre for Consumer Insights and person-in-charge of the collaboration, said that the two parties will collect data on customer behaviours in Africa for modelling and analysis. Strategies will be developed to influence user habits and verificate the effectiveness of energy consumption and power generation optimisation. The project will be developed in collaboration with the City University of Hong Kong, the University of Chicago and experts across different industries and fields from around the world.
Prof. Lin Zhou encouraged teaching and research staff of the Business School to continue to embrace innovation, “As one of the world’s leading education institutions, we place great emphasis on research and theoretical practice. I urge our faculty members to be ready to push the frontiers of knowledge in the technology-driven business world.”
As an alumnus of CUHK Business School, Mr. Jianping Zhu, Assistant to the Chairman of INHE Group, expressed his gratitude to his alma mater and his vision for the collaboration. While electricity brings tremendous convenience to the lives of African people, INHE has a long way to go.
Mr. Wei Liu, Dean of INHE Electric Power Research Institute, looks forward to the pioneering collaboration project. To further promote technological innovation, economic and social development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area, Mr. Liu is in hope for future collaboration with the Business School in other areas, such as digital economy, human resources and technology, and other cutting-edge innovations.