(From left) Mr Tim Lui, Chairman of the UGC; Dr Christine Choi Yuk-lin, Secretary for Education of the HKSAR Government; Professor Dennis Lo Yuk-ming, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK, launch the “Study in Hong Kong” Week at a special reception, welcome guests from around the world before the opening of APAIE 2026
Local leadership, global reach
CUHK leads international conversation at APAIE 2026
12 March 2026
The “Study in Hong Kong” brand was very much in the foreground over five days in February, with CUHK stepping confidently into its role as local lead host of thousands of education leaders and professionals from around the world.
Hong Kong underlined its position as a bridge between the East and West by welcoming over 3,500 delegates from 72 countries and regions to exchange ideas and forge partnerships at the Asia‑Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) 2026 Conference and Exhibition, one of the world’s three most prominent international education conferences.
The delegates convened to explore how the future of higher education could be shaped under the theme, “Asia‑Pacific Partnerships for the Global Good”. Universities across the city also took part, contributing their insights throughout many of the 130 panel discussions and sessions held from 23-27 February.
Setting the tone for a purposeful week
The conference opened to a full house with remarks by APAIE President Professor Venky Shankararaman, CUHK Vice‑Chancellor and President Professor Dennis Lo Yuk-ming, and HKSAR Secretary for Education Dr Christine Choi Yuk‑lin.
Professor Shankararaman reflected on three enduring Asian principles – interdependence, harmony and universal responsibility – arguing that these values offered strikingly modern answers to the sector’s most urgent questions and underscored the power of partnership for the global good.
Professor Lo expressed his gratitude that CUHK was once again given the honour to host the event after 13 years, and emphasised this year’s theme captured a shared responsibility among universities worldwide to contribute diverse strengths and perspectives across borders and disciplines.
A spirited lion dance and eye‑dotting ceremony, hallmark of Hong Kong’s traditions, opened the celebration, showcasing the city’s rich cultural heritage. The focus then turned to the hiking trails crisscrossing the local urban landscape with the award‑winning Hong Kong documentary filmmaker Robin Lee, director of Four Trails, taking centre stage. He cited Hong Kong’s cultural diversity as a prime attraction for international students, and shared the painstaking journey behind his documentary. He encouraged the audience with the message: “You and your students all have their own four trails, which are just as meaningful and unique.”
Following the ceremony, Dr Choi and representatives of the University Grants Committee (UGC) gathered with Professor Lo and the presidents and senior leaders of the co‑hosts for a group photograph at the Study in Hong Kong Pavilion in the Exhibition Hall, symbolising a unified sectoral welcome and close alignment with the HKSAR Government’s commitment to elevate the “Study in Hong Kong” brand.
Trust and resilience at the top
At the invitation‑only Presidents’ Dialogue, 25 university presidents and 45 senior leaders discussed intertwined risks reshaping higher education, from disruption driven by artificial intelligence to geopolitical tensions, climate change, demographic shifts and the spread of misinformation and disinformation. Under the theme “Building Resilience and Trust in an Era of Global Risks”, they explored strategies to future‑proof educational systems, accelerate innovation and cultivate partnerships that could withstand volatility.
The leaders shared a sense of optimism about the value of collaboration. Professor C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice‑Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University in India, noted that APAIE provided a vital opportunity for universities worldwide to connect, emphasising partnership and the mobility of students and faculty as engines of the global good.
Echoing this view, Professor Lily Kong, President of Singapore Management University, highlighted the abundance of avenues that international engagement could unlock. She added that APAIE’s gathering of delegates from across the world signalled a strong appetite for collaboration and left her with optimism and hope.
Professor Helena Ramalhinho, Vice‑Rector for Internationalisation at Pompeu Fabra University in Spain, said that today’s problems could not be solved by a single city or country; for students and researchers alike, understanding global issues made international partnership indispensable.
International students’ voices
Another highlight was the Student Plenary: Global Perspectives on Student Success in Hong Kong, co‑chaired by CUHK Professor Irwin King, Pro‑Vice‑Chancellor of Education, and Hong Kong Baptist University Dr Albert Chau, Vice‑President of Teaching and Learning. Eight students from Hong Kong, Chinese Mainland, France, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia and Spain offered candid reflections on how the city had shaped their academic journeys and personal growth.
Among them, Shiven Garg of India, who is pursuing a PhD at CUHK, described how joining student clubs, from archery, dance to cryptocurrency society, built communication and leadership skills and created lasting friendships. He also commended CUHK advisers and the Hong Kong innovation ecosystem. “Hong Kong is the Silicon Valley of Asia. If you have an idea and want to bring it to reality, Hong Kong is the right place to be.”
Across the panel, students reiterated a consistent message: Hong Kong’s universities combine academic rigour, an innovation‑rich environment and unparallelled global connectivity, empowering graduates to build networks that extend far beyond the region.
Sixty years of exchange
The week also marked a meaningful milestone: the 60th anniversary of CUHK’s first student‑exchange memorandum of understanding (MOU), which was signed with the University of California (UC) system in 1965. The celebration brought together senior UC representatives and study‑abroad alumni, as well as CUHK graduates who had spent time at the Californian institution. Mr Danny T. T. Chan recalled travelling by passenger ship from Hong Kong to San Francisco under the partnership for his master’s programme at UCLA in 1968.
During the event, Professor Dennis Lo and Dr Dan Waite, Associate Vice Provost and Executive Director of University of California Education Abroad Program, renewed the long‑standing exchange MOU, reinforcing a partnership that continues to create opportunities across generations.
At the closing ceremony, CUHK returned the APAIE flag to APAIE President which was subsequently handed to the 2027 host, University of Technology Malaysia. The event this year had all eight UGC‑funded universities united to showcase Hong Kong’s world‑class excellence, innovation‑driven economy and richly cosmopolitan character. As a founding member of APAIE and lead host this year, CUHK will continue deepening dialogue with international partners to develop impactful global education partnerships and programmes that would nurture global citizens.
A photo feature on APAIE 2026 can be found here.
By Eva Choy
Photo courtesy of Office of Academic Links
