A Senior Swiss delegation, headed by Mr. Guy Parmelin, Swiss Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education, and Research, visited Hong Kong Baptist University. During their visit, they witnessed the debut of the terapixel-scale digital rendition of the Swiss national treasure painting, "The Panorama of the Battle of Murten (1893)," showcased on HKBU's Visualization Research Centre's 360-degree panoramic stereoscopic LED screen.
HKBU representatives, including Dr. Clement Chen, Chairman of the Council and the Court; Mr. Paul Poon, Deputy Chairman of the Council and the Court; Mr. Kevin Liem, Treasurer of the Council and the Court; Professor Alex Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor; along with other senior management team members, extended a warm welcome to the delegation. Dr. Clement Chen highlighted in his welcoming address that the delegation's visit signifies the robust bond between Hong Kong and Switzerland, underscored by their mutual commitment to excellence and innovation.
“HKBU is honoured to be chosen as one of the very few destinations during their tour in Hong Kong. This visit presents an opportunity for us to demonstrate our unwavering commitment to academic excellence, research, innovation, technology transfer and enriching cultural exchanges. We are excited to showcase these achievements through a selection of exhibits, allowing the delegation to witness firsthand the cutting-edge developments and innovative solutions that our institution has been spearheading”, said Dr Chen.
Mr. Guy Parmelin noted the numerous similarities between Hong Kong and Switzerland. Recognizing these commonalities, he emphasized the potential for enhanced mutual collaboration in education, research, and innovation, which would be advantageous for both sides. “HKBU has a very successful collaboration with one of Switzerland’s leading research institutions, the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). I am particularly curious to explore the Visualization Research Centre, a place where our researchers are already working side-by-side at the intersection of computer science and culture”, said Mr Guy.
Both delegations exchanged updates on recent advancements in education and culture in Switzerland and Hong Kong. Professor Terence Lau, Interim Chief Innovation Officer of HKBU, provided an overview of the University's latest progress in teaching, research, knowledge transfer, and translation. He also highlighted HKBU's recent innovations in healthcare, artificial intelligence, and cultural initiatives.
During the visit to the Visualization Research Centre, the delegation was introduced to several HKBU art technology projects. Professor Jeffrey Shaw, Director of the Centre, and Professor Sarah Kenderdine, Professor of Digital Museology at EPFL and Visiting Professor at HKBU's Department of Computer Science, unveiled the digital rendition of "The Panorama of the Battle of Murten." This historical painting depicts Switzerland's victory over the Duke of Burgundy's army in 1476, a pivotal event in Swiss national history. Additionally, collaborative projects between HKBU and EPFL on Future Cinema Systems were showcased, offering an immersive experience of pan-Asian Buddhist sites along the Maritime Silk Road, featured in major exhibitions and permanent museums.
