Hong Kong and the United Kingdom signed the first memorandum of understanding on international higher education here Monday.

Professor Poon Chung-kwong, President of Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and Professor Christine Hallett, Principal of University of Stirling of UK, were representatives to sign the memorandum.

The memorandum aims to develop further links between higher education institutes in Hong Kong and UK.

It will promote co-operation and exchange in research and academic work in areas of mutual interest including exchange of teaching staff and students, internship placements and collaborative research.

Poon said that the signing of the strategic education agreement allowed universities in Hong Kong and UK to build stronger ties and networks to promote internationalization.

There are lots of collaborations among individual institutes between Hong Kong and UK, and this agreement was a step forward to push ahead with more holistic cooperation, he said.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Hong Kong Secretary for Education and Manpower Arthur Li, vice chancellors and representatives from universities and education departments from Hong Kong and UK.