Jonathan Choi, Johnny Ng and Siu Chi-Wai, from left to right.[Photo/Zhongshan Daily]

During this year's national "Two Sessions," Johnny Ng, a CPPCC National Committee member and native of Zhongshan now living in Hong Kong, proposed that Zhongshan build a provincial higher learning university.

In addition, this year's Zhongshan Government Work Report indicates that the city should strengthen cooperation with renowned domestic and overseas colleges and universities. The municipal government will endeavor to begin construction of "Xiangshan University" along with the Macau University of Science and Technology. The city will also make active preparations for the province-city, sister-building "Zhongshan University of Science and Technology."

The two universities garnered further attention from those Zhongshan NPC deputies and CPPCC members, who put forward their opinions and suggestions on the topic.

Siu Chi-Wai, an NPC deputy and Macao-based Zhongshanese, believes that Macao offers educational advantages, and these talents can be cultivated with the help of Zhongshan city educators. He further stated that majors offered at higher learning institutions should comply with the development strategies of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the demands of the New Era.

Johnny Ng has made it his focus to guide the development of Zhongshan's educational system. He has suggested that both universities should search nationally and globally for their top academic principals. Ng further recommended that the schools cultivate outstanding, innovative talents and top-level, practical talents who will advance the development of the Greater Bay Area.

Jonathan Choi, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC who is a native of Zhongshan and current resident of Hong Kong, said during an interview that establishing an institute of higher learning in Tsuihang New District (the Zhongshan University of Science and Technology) will be conducive to overcoming the city's weaknesses in university establishment. It will also increase the innovation, entrepreneurship, and education level of the west bank of the Pearl River.