On November 29, Saint Francis University successfully hosted the "Guangzhou Nansha Technology and Culture Exploration Tour". Nearly 30 students from several Hong Kong secondary schools joined with our Cultural Ambassadors to explore Nansha, the heart of the Greater Bay Area, where they explored innovation and culture.
The adventure began with an unforgettable ride in Pony.ai's Robotaxi. With guidance from technicians, students experienced intelligent features such as automatic route planning and obstacle avoidance and learnt about the safety and operations behind self-driving technology. "The smooth and steady journey and advanced applications made me realise how technology is reshaping our lives," one participant expressed enthusiastically.
At the Innovation Bay, students visited the Guangzhou Nansha Hong Kong and Macao Youth Wule Service Centre and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Youth Exchange Promotional Association, where they discovered the one-stop support available for Hong Kong and Macao youth in Nansha. They asked inspirational questions about entrepreneurship, career opportunities, and personal growth in the Greater Bay Area.
In the afternoon, the students visited the GAC Technology Museum to gain an in‑depth understanding of GAC's development history, its self-developed powertrain technologies, and its chip strategies. The tour continued at the Tunnel Museum, where they engaged with interactive exhibits and historical records, providing a comprehensive overview of the history, technical challenges, and significance of tunnel engineering in China - offering insight into the engineering creativity and national ambition that drive infrastructure development.
The journey not only broadened students' horizons to Nansha's dynamic technological energy but also strengthened bonds among participants. Saint Francis University's Global and Mainland Engagement Division emphasised the University's dedication to facilitating meaningful exchanges that deepen students' knowledge of the mainland and support their growth within the Greater Bay Area; similar programs will continue to be offered.