Shaping the next horizon of global universities
CUHK hosts APRU Annual Presidents’ Meeting
16 July 2026
For its 30th edition, the APRU Annual Presidents’ Meeting arrived at a decisive moment — and CUHK was its host. When university leaders from across the Asia-Pacific gathered in Hong Kong from 21 to 23 June, the theme they chose said everything: “The Next Horizon: Shaping Universities for a Changing World.”
The meeting brought together leaders from 45 leading universities across 19 economies under the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU). It marked a moment of reflection and resolve at a time when higher education faces rapid technological and societal change.
A convenor at the crossroads of ideas
Hosting the meeting marks an institutional milestone for CUHK, showcasing its longstanding commitment to global engagement. Together with the APRU Senior International Leaders’ Meeting (SILM) on 23 and 24 June, the University serves as a platform for open dialogue, impactful collaboration and shared purpose.
Internationalisation lies at the heart of CUHK. The University advances knowledge, nurtures future talent, and addresses global challenges through global collaboration in education and research.
Hong Kong is more than an ideal location for the meeting. As an international education hub and a gateway connecting the Chinese Mainland and the world, the city provides a setting where diverse perspectives converge for dialogues across cultures and systems at a critical juncture for higher education.
In a moment of change
As universities move further into the 21st century, they face an unprecedented convergence of forces: rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI), shifting geopolitics, demographic change, evolving labour markets, and rising societal expectations.
In his welcome remarks, Professor Dennis Lo Yuk-ming, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK, captured the significance of the moment. “Universities stand at a defining threshold,” he said, emphasising that institutions must do more than adapt. “As knowledge institutions, we must not only respond to technological and societal change, but actively help shape it.”
He also highlighted Hong Kong’s strengths as host, noting its role as a global connector and a centre for innovation and technology.
Reimagining learning in an age of AI
These themes unfolded in the first panel discussion, “The Transformation of Learning: Designing Education Together”, where university leaders examined how education must evolve for a rapidly changing world.
Moderated by Professor Ignacio de la Vega of Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico, the panel brought together leaders including Professor Nicola Phillips (Adelaide University), Professor Kim Beong-Soo (University of Southern California), Atty. Angelo Jimenez (University of the Philippines), and Professor Lo.
A pressing question emerged during the discussion: what are the essential qualities that today’s graduates must possess, and how can universities evolve to cultivate them? Speakers explored different approaches to learning, including hybrid and co-operative models, industry partnership, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. The discussions reflected a shared commitment that universities must reimagine how they prepare graduates to become global citizens, entrepreneurs and future leaders.
As AI is rapidly shaping the education landscape, it is of paramount importance to retain the human dimension. Professor Lo emphasised that universities must ensure their graduates remain “deeply human” and be equipped with critical thinking, empathy and ethical judgment.
Speakers reflected that while universities must continue to embrace technological advancement, they should not lose sight of the core values of education. Professor Lo added that Asian universities are well placed to develop innovative, globally relevant models of learning.
Towards a shared horizon
Across sessions, the APRU APM reflected a broader commitment to collective action. Through dialogue and collaboration, participating presidents reaffirmed the importance of advancing innovation, inclusion and sustainability, ensuring that universities remain anchored in the public good and responsive to evolving societal needs.
CUHK’s role as convenor extended beyond formal meetings. Alongside the SILM, delegates were introduced to the University’s rich cultural environment through campus visits, a visit to the CUHK Art Museum, and a tour of its latest exhibition, “The Qianlong Emperor: A Legacy in Art, The Huaihaitang Collection”.
In hosting these two flagship APRU events, CUHK is not only bringing global leaders together, but also helping to steer the broader discourse itself. As an active APRU member, the University has contributed leadership to initiatives spanning sustainability and biodiversity, global health, virtual exchange and student mobility, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to global partnerships.
By Eva Choy
Photo courtesy of Office of Academic Links
