HKMU's Li Ka Shing School of Professional and Continuing Education (LiPACE) hosted an African Cultural Night on 22 April 2026 at the HKMU campus, offering the community an immersive opportunity to experience the diversity and energy of African cultures. As a major provider of full-time higher diploma programs and part-time continuing education in Hong Kong's post-secondary sector, LiPACE launched a dedicated series of activities under the theme of the "2026 China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges." The initiative also aligns with the nation's 15th Five-Year Plan, highlighting Hong Kong's role as a super-connector linking the Chinese mainland with the wider world through education, cultural engagement, and sustained people-to-people connections.
The event drew the attendance of the African consuls-general in Hong Kong representing Egypt, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria, underscoring solidarity and cooperation across cultures. Dr. Benjamin Chan, Dean of HKMU LiPACE, noted that one of the key missions of education today is to equip young people with the ability to connect and collaborate across nationalities. In a rapidly changing world, students need the competence to work across cultures and engage with differences with confidence and respect. He also stressed that cultural exchange should not be reduced to a simplistic "East versus West" narrative; rather, it should be reimagined as a truly multicultural global community. In this spirit, LiPACE has established a South African arts and crafts room on campus—an initiative that brings the Global South closer to Hong Kong and enables students to learn through direct cultural encounter.
Representing The American University in Cairo, scholar Dean Allam observed that the world is becoming increasingly connected, making it essential for people in every country to understand different ways of thinking, diverse cultural contexts, and varied approaches to education—especially in the realm of continuing education as a lifelong learning journey. Professor Lawal M. Marafa of The Chinese University of Hong Kong emphasized that China and Africa are friends and that people-to-people relations are more important than ever, fostering peace, understanding, friendship, and development. By bringing Africa closer through events like these, the public can see a more authentic and vibrant Africa—through fashion, food, dance, and many other cultural expressions. Mr. Owen Tam Man-lik, university librarian of HKMU, also shared Li PACE's plans to continue related initiatives, citing upcoming cultural showcases (including Nigerian ethnic groups) as opportunities for staff and students to deepen their understanding and participation while encouraging young people to embrace the future by engaging with long-term planning and contributing their ideas.
Through African Cultural Night, HKMU Li PACE turns cultural exchange into a lived, participatory experience—strengthening mutual understanding, showcasing Hong Kong's distinctive international role, and building durable momentum for China–Africa people-to-people engagement.
(Journalist: Zoey Sun | Cameraman: Kiki Zhang | Video Editor: Felicia Li)
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