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Time
Programme
0830 - 0930
Registration and Welcome
Opening Ceremony
0930 – 1015
Welcome speech
Prof. Priscilla Leung Mei-fun. Founding President, Hong Kong Association for External Friendship
Speech by Guest of Honour
The Hon John LEE Ka-chiu, GBM, SBS, PDSM, PMSM, The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Speeches by Officiating Guests
  • Prof. Jin-peng HUAI, Minister, Education of the People's Republic of China
  • Mr Jian-chun CUI, Commissioner, Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
  • Mr Tim Leung LUI, Chairman, University Grants Committee
Officiating Ceremony and Group Photo
Session 1 - The Importance of Knowledge Globalization for Humanity
1015 – 1120
By fostering interconnectedness and interdependence across countries, globalization has become an essential process in shaping our collective future. This session will explore the philosophies, values, and economic, cultural, and political ideas behind globalization. The increasing integration of economies through free trade and global supply chains, the exchange of cultural practices, and political collaboration through international organizations highlight globalization's profound impact on society. Universities play a central role in shaping these values through their research, curriculum development, knowledge distribution, and advocacy efforts.
In this session speakers will discuss how to sustain academic cooperation in a rapidly changing world, emphasizing the importance of virtual collaboration and innovative knowledge exchanges. Additionally, globalization’s critical influence on human social values is highlighted in this session, as it is critical in promoting diversity, inclusion, and ethical responsibility. We will delve deeper into these topics, offering valuable insights into the role of knowledge globalization in driving human progress and how we can continue to foster academic collaboration and social change in an interconnected world.
Session Chair
Prof. Nancy Y. IP, President, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Hong Kong, China)
Speakers
  1. Prof. Jiang-feng DU, President, Zhejiang University (China)
  2. Dr. Pradeep K. KHOSLA, Chancellor, the University of California, San Diego (U.S.)
  3. Prof. Nancy ROTHWELL, Former President & Vice–Chancellor, The University of Manchester (UK)
  4. Prof. Ahmed Ali ALRAEESI, Vice Chancellor, United Arab Emirates University (United Arab Emirates)
  5. Prof. Yujin YAGUCHI, Vice President & Director of Center for Global Education, The University of Tokyo (Japan)
1120 – 1130
Coffee Break
Session 2 - Data Science and a New International Order
1130 - 1250
Data science is transforming many aspects of our life, particularly on reshaping international relations and global governance. This session will explore how data-driven processes such as machine learning, analytics and networks are influencing foreign policy, diplomacy, and security strategies worldwide. The rise of data-rich nations is shifting global power structures, with multinational technology conglomerates shaping how we view and advance algorithmic justice and governance. While data science offers new opportunities for international collaboration on pressing global issues, it also raises significant ethical and privacy concerns that demand global standards.
Speakers in this session will discuss the evolving role of data science in shaping the future of global governance, highlighting the need for fair data practices to foster a fair international order.
Session Chair
Prof. Xiang ZHANG, President and Vice–Chancellor, The University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong, China)
Speakers
  1. Prof. Li-qun ZHANG, President, Xi'an Jiaotong University (China)
  2. Prof. Brad MACKAY, Deputy Principal & Vice Principal, University of St. Andrews (UK)
  3. Prof. Yong–hua SONG, Rector, University of Macau (Macau, China)
  4. Prof. Lily KONG, President, Singapore Management University (Singapore)
  5. Dr. Peter Q. BLAIR, Associate Professor of Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education (U.S.)
1300 – 1430
Luncheon (By invitation only)
Session 3 - Ethics and Value Building of AI Technology in Society
1430 - 1550
Artificial intelligence (AI) has played a major role in transforming our society. As AI systems become more integrated into daily life, issues such as algorithmic bias, data privacy, lack of accountability and transparency are raising concerns, and the societal impact of these technologies. Establishing ethical frameworks for AI is crucial in ensuring that its development aligns with societal values such as equity and inclusivity. Additionally, AI’s role in decision-making, from healthcare to criminal justice, underscores the importance of building AI systems that reflect ethical standards and avoid perpetuating harmful biases.
This session will explore the ethics and value-building surrounding AI technology in society. Speakers will discuss the critical need for transparent AI governance, responsible innovation, and collaborative efforts between policymakers, technologists, and civil society to ensure AI’s development benefits humanity while upholding ethical principles. Through these discussions, we will gain valuable insights into shaping the future of AI to serve the common good responsibly and equitably.
Session Chair
Prof. Jin-guang TENG, President, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (Hong Kong, China)
Speakers
  1. Prof. Zhe-min TAN, President, Nanjing University (China)
  2. Prof. Shu-cai LI, President, Shandong University (China)
  3. Prof. Tim JONES, Vice-Chancellor, The University of Liverpool (UK)
  4. Prof. Sir Anton MUSCATELLI, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, University of Glasgow (UK)
  5. Prof. Shang-li LIN, President, Renmin University of China (China)
  6. Prof. Ilaria VALENTE, Vice Rector for International Affairs, Politechnico di Milano (Italy)
1550 - 1600
Coffee Break
Session 4 - Art Technology & Youth Psychology
1600 - 1705
The intersection of art, technology, and psychology has significantly contributed to the cognitive and emotional development as well as holistic wellbeing of youth today. This session will explore how technological advancements in digital and interactive art are shaping artistic expression and youth psychology, focusing on the ways these new forms of art influence identity formation and self-expression. Speakers will examine how digital platforms like social media and emerging technologies such as virtual reality provide both creative opportunities and challenges for young people, highlighting case studies of their impact on cognitive and emotional growth.
The session will also introduce the use of art technology in therapeutic settings, emphasizing its role in mental health interventions and programming. These tools are essential for supporting emotional well-being through creative expression. Additionally, speakers will address ethical considerations, such as the risks of digital addiction and overexposure such as doom-scrolling, and strategies to promote balanced engagement with technology. Speakers will provide valuable insights into how the integration of art and technology can shape the psychological development of youth, offering guidance on fostering healthy creative engagement in a rapidly evolving digital world.
Session Chair
Prof. Alexander WAI Ping-kong, President and Vice–Chancellor, Hong Kong Baptist University (Hong Kong, China)
Speakers
  1. Prof. Jie-cai HAN, President, Harbin Institute of Technology (China)
  2. Prof. Michele ACUTO, Pro Vice–Chancellor of Global Engagement, University of Bristol (UK)
  3. Prof. Ji-hong YU, President, Beijing Normal University (China)
  4. Prof. Thomas N. BRADBURY, Distinguished Professor and Chair, Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles (U.S.)
  5. Prof. Jon GARIBALDI, Provost and Pro–Vice Chancellor, University of Nottingham Ningbo China (China)
Closing Remarks
1705 - 1715
Mr Tim Leung LUI, Chairman, University Grants Committee
Dinner (By invitation only)
Time
Programme
0845 - 0900
Registration and Welcome
Session 5 - University Governance and Innovation
0900 - 1035
University governance plays a critical role in promoting knowledge exchanges in a globalized world. This session will explore the increasing significance of governance in higher education, focusing on how universities adapt to globalization while balancing local autonomy and global collaboration. With innovative governance models such as international partnerships, interdisciplinary research, and technology, global collaboration can be fostered and sustainably maintained. These models are essential for addressing modern day challenges that we face as a society together. Additionally, the role of visionary leadership in driving innovation within academic governance will be discussed, along with strategies to foster a sense of global academic citizenship and inclusivity among university campuses.
In this session, speakers will provide valuable insights into how effective governance can shape the future of higher education, fostering global engagement and collaboration within the academic community.
Session Chair
Prof. Freddy BOEY Yin-chiang, President, City University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong, China)
Speakers
  1. Prof. Madeleine ATKINS, President, Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge University (UK)
  2. Prof. G Q Max LU, President and Vice–Chancellor, University of Surrey (UK)
  3. Prof. Ruksana OSMAN, Senior Deputy Vice–Chancellor: Academic, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (South Africa)
  4. Prof. Franck RICHECOEUR, Director of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Degrees, CentraleSupelec Paris–Saclay University (France)
  5. Prof. (Dr.) C. Raj KUMAR, Vice Chancellor, O.P. Jindal Global University (India)
  6. Prof. Alojzy Z. NOWAK, Rector, University of Warsaw (Poland)
  7. Dr. Dieter DE BRUYN, Senior Policy Advisor at Rector’s Office, Ghent University (Belgium)
1035 – 1050
Coffee Break
Session 6 - Artificial Intelligence in Meeting Biomedical and Societal Challenges
1050 – 1155
Artificial intelligence is increasingly playing a crucial role in addressing biomedical and societal challenges, from accelerating research to developing technologies in advancing areas such as personalized medicine, innovative biotherapies, mental health intervention, climate change modelling, risk assessment, and education and training. Additionally, emerging markets, cross-sector partnerships, interdisciplinary research, and international partnerships continue to drive innovation. However, regulatory complexities, high research costs, and ethical concerns represent obstacles and issues such as intellectual property disputes, data privacy and security, and a shortage of specialized talent further complicate the landscape.
In this session, speakers will explore these pivotal issues, providing insights into the evolving role of AI in different fields and their combined future impact on global health and society.
Session Chair
Prof. Rocky S. TUAN, Vice–Chancellor & President, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong, China)
Speakers
  1. Prof. YANG Bin, Vice President, Tsinghua University (China)
  2. Prof. Dawn FRESHWATER, Vice–Chancellor, The University of Auckland (New Zealand)
  3. Prof. LING San, Deputy President and Provost, Nanyang Technological University (Singapore)
  4. Dr. Jun WANG, Assistant Provost, University of California, Riverside (U.S.)
  5. Prof. Tony F. CHAN, Immediate Past President, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (Saudi Arabia)
1215 – 1345
Luncheon (By invitation only)
Session 7 – AI Development and its Law and Ethics
1400 - 1505
The intersection of law and artificial intelligence (AI) is constructing a new way of how we practice law and how the capacity of law and order can be furthered with the addition of AI technologies. These emerging tools are revolutionizing legal systems and frameworks and influencing all aspects from automating criminal justice decision-making processes to aiding due diligence and compliance in the commercial legal space. However, as AI starts to carry increasing weight in powers of decision, it raises major concerns about its transparency, lack of accountability and overall, the general consumption and involvement of these technologies in a field that values confidentiality and fairness. Ensuring that AI’s development and presence in upholding and furthering justice and order is crucial for maintaining trust in the justice systems.
This session will explore the role of AI in law and order and its implications for the quality and outlook of legal systems in the future. Our speakers will discuss the importance of building robust and ethical AI guiding frameworks in law that promote transparency, fairness, and security.
Session Chair
Prof. S. Joe Qin, President of Lingnan University (Hong Kong, China)
Session Chair
Prof. Gui-guo WANG, President, International Academy of the Belt and Road (Hong Kong, China)
Speakers
  1. Dr. David LASSNER, President, University of Hawaii at Mānoa (U.S.)
  2. Dr. Bipin ADHIKARI, Professor of Law, Kathmandu University School of Law (Nepal)
  3. Prof. Dr. Farhana Helal MEHTAB, Professor of Law & Dean, School of Arts & Social Sciences, Southeast University (Bangladesh)
  4. Datuk Manickham SUPPERAMANIAM, Former Ambassador/ Permanent Representative of Malaysia to the World Trade Organisation (Malaysia)
  5. Prof. Nohyoung PARK, Former Dean of Korea University Law School (South Korea)
Session 8 – Demographic Change & Education in Future
1510 - 1610
Demographic changes are reshaping the future of education, presenting both challenges and opportunities for adapting modes of learning to a rapidly evolving global population. Falling birth rate, aging society, urbanization, emerging patterns of migration have all in various ways influenced the composition of student populations and their consequent education needs. In a post-COVID era, educational institutes continue to encounter unique challenges of new learning systems, declining enrollment, shifting government funding, and so on. Specifically, enrollment cliff, a term used to describe the expected decline in the number of traditional-age college students, is an obstacle faced by many universities. Nevertheless, these challenges pave the way for new opportunities - innovative approaches that can address how education is provided and received in diverse learning environments that could lead to lifelong learning opportunities. At the same time, technological advancements are offering new ways to personalize education and make it more accessible to different demographic groups.
This session will explore how demographic changes are impacting the future of education and the strategies needed to adapt. Our speakers will discuss how educational institutions can adapt to meet the demands of a shifting population, focusing on building diverse and equitable learning environments for the future generation.
Session Chair
Prof. John LEE Chi-Kin, President, The Education University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong, China)
Session Co–Chair
Prof. Peter BLAIR, Associate Professor of Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education (U.S)
Speakers
  1. Prof. Zheng YOU, President, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (China)
  2. Dr. Haji Abdul Hanif bin Dato Paduka Haji MAHADI, Assistant Vice Chancellor and Vice President (Research, Innovation and Sustainability), University Brunei Darussalam (Brunei)
  3. Prof. Bert J. TUGA, President, Philippine Normal University (Philippine)
  4. Prof. Zhanseit TUIMEBAYEV, Rector, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (Kazakhstan)
  5. Dr. Kashif Imran ZADI, Acting Director and Associate Professor, School of Law & Policy, University of Management and Technology (U.S.)
1610 - 1620
Coffe Break
1620 - 1625
Micro movie “Legislator Walking into 2036"
Session 9 – Applied Science and New Age Development
1625 - 1730
Artificial technology has emerged as a powerful tool that both drives innovation and disruption across many sectors and aspects of our society. While there is debate over whether technology is truly an applied science, there is no denying AI's rapid rise and its profound impact on how we pursue scientific inquiries. New age challenges such as global warming, space exploration, preventative medicine, alternative energy sources and exploratory robotics can all potentially be addressed with the support of AI. As exciting as it sounds to envision its full potential, AI has also raised concerns about its disconnect and lack of rootedness in the more pressing issues underserved but most impacted communities face.
This session will focus on how technology combined with applied science will impact or facilitate issues of new age development in our life. It will also examine whether it is time to discuss the creation of a global multi-disciplinary framework where science, technology, society, environment, policies and regulations evolve together, each informing and progressing on the other’s needs. Our speakers will discuss how universities can help facilitate such a comprehensive framework to support this integrated approach.
Session Chair
Prof. Paul LAM Kwan-sing, President, Hong Kong Metropolitan University (Hong Kong, China)
Session Co–Chair
Prof. Priscilla LEUNG Mei–fun, GBS JP, Education Panel Chairman, Legislative Council
Speakers
  1. Prof. Xu-hong QUAN, President, East China Normal University (China)
  2. Dr. Cary ANDERSON, Vice Chancellor, Wenzhou–Kean University (China)
  3. Prof. Rajesh SHARMA, Associate Professor, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (Australia)
  4. Hyang I. MIHARDJA, Representative, Pusat Mediasi Nasional (Indonesian Mediation Centre); and Board Member, Asia Pacific Centre for Arbitration and Mediation (Indonesia)
  5. Prof. Jun HU, President, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (China)
Closing Remarks
1740 - 1755
Dr. Christine CHOI Yuk-lin, Secretary for Education of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China
Dinner (By invitation only)
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