In a world transforming faster than we could ever have anticipated, who will shape the next generation of thinkers, innovators, and problem-solvers?
This question took center stage at HKUST’s Shaw Auditorium from April 22 to 24 when more than 600 university presidents, policymakers, and industry leaders from 25 countries and regions gathered for the Asia Universities Summit (AUS) hosted by HKUST in partnership with Times Higher Education (THE).
Under the summit theme, “Igniting global transformation: Asia's leadership,” this packed event allowed HKUST to share the central tenets of its thought leadership in response to questions on leadership through highly engaging, free-flowing talks, panel discussions, fireside chats, and workshops.
The event was especially meaningful because it helped mark both HKUST’s 35th anniversary and the 10th anniversary since HKUST last hosted AUS.
Collaboration and shared responsibility
In her address at the opening ceremony, Prof. Nancy IP, HKUST President, shared several initial statements for delegates to consider in response to the summit’s theme.
One key point was her emphasis on the urgent need for collaborative endeavors to address pressing global challenges and opportunities.
“At HKUST, we firmly believe that no single institution can address these global challenges alone; progress will come through openness, partnership, and shared responsibility,” she said.
HKUST, she added, was determined to play its part in this global undertaking by nurturing reflective networking and meaningful cooperation during AUS.
“By convening leaders from across Asia and beyond, we aim to turn thoughtful dialogue into real impact for our communities and for society at large,” she said.
Innovation and impact
As Guest Speaker, Dr. Jeff SZE Chun Fai, Acting Secretary for Education of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, said universities today are not only centers of knowledge creation but also powerful drivers of innovation, resilience, and societal impact.
In an era of rapid technological advancement, particularly in AI, digital transformation, and sustainability, higher education must translate cutting-edge research into real-world solutions that address global challenges, he shared.
“HKUST exemplifies this excellence and achieves remarkable rankings, with its entrepreneurial story equally unmatched, demonstrating the worldwide impact of its research discoveries,” he said.
In his address at the opening ceremony, Mr. Phil BATY, Chief Global Affairs Officer at Times Higher Education, reaffirmed THE's trusted partnership with HKUST on the occasion of the 10th anniversary. He highlighted a significant "tilt" in global higher education power from West to East that has been fueled by Asia's surging research output and international ambitions.
“This Summit is a celebration of your excellence and the glorious diversity of our academic community,” he said.
Igniting global transformation
HKUST personnel were heavily involved in several sessions at the summit, reflecting our deep-seated engagement with the core theme.
Prof. Nancy Ip participated in talks that she is especially passionate about. One was longevity science and sustainable human futures, in which she stressed the need to improve the quality of life as we age.
“Healthy aging is not just about adding years to life but adding life to our years. We need a paradigm shift from reactive to proactive care,” she said.
Prof. Ip’s other general talk focused on the role of female leaders in Asia, during which she affirmed her strong belief in the need to identify and support potential female leaders, making sure that they are visible and recognized, and that in five to ten years there will be many more female university presidents, not only in Hong Kong but beyond, too.
In keeping with HKUST’s prominent role throughout the three days, Prof. Ip was also involved in two high-level invite-only sessions: one on how Asia's emerging innovation corridors—from the Greater Bay Area to other fast‑growing technology belts—can redefine global technology leadership, and another on shaping next‑generation cities to support sustainable urban transformation amid rapid technological and societal change.
Prof. Tony CHAN, former President of HKUST, helped assess whether Asia is shaping research agendas, norms, and standards or primarily executing them. He also joined the invite-only session on silicon corridors and spice routes.
AI was a major topic of conversation, and an opportunity for HKUST to host a highly prestigious discussion on how AI is transitioning from innovation to foundational infrastructure. Skillfully steered by Prof. Frederik ANSEEL, Dean of Business and Management, this visionary discussion featured Mr. Judson ALTHOFF, Chief Executive Officer of Microsoft’s commercial business as well as Prof Harry Shum, Council Chairman of HKUST.
Reflecting on the state of education globally, Mr. Althoff noted that successful people in society focus on the “why” more than the “how,” a distinction more important than before because AI will outpace humans in the "how" over time.
He asserted in response to how AI is both innovative and foundational that the question, “What will I do today?" is better expressed as "What agents will I spawn to go do bodies of work on my behalf so that I can get about the things that are most important in my day?”
Prof. Shum concurred, stating that AI technology should not be feared. “It is a powerful new tool for us and a wonderful thing that we must learn and master to drive growth and innovation,” Prof. Shum said at this event.
Gala Dinner
Thanks to the generous support of Henderson Land Group, summit participants enjoyed an exquisite Gala Dinner at Cloud 39. The evening featured a compelling address by Guest of Honor Mr. Tim Lui, Chairman of the University Grants Committee (UGC), who highlighted Asia’s burgeoning role in global innovation and reaffirmed Hong Kong’s status as a premier international hub for post-secondary education.
Mr. Lui also reflected on HKUST’s remarkable 35-year journey, praising its evolution from a young institution into a globally respected university, a transformation evident in the decade since the Asia Universities Summit was last hosted on campus in 2016.
The gala was enlivened by a hugely entertaining program, featuring a synchronized live-action digital dance performance and a ten-piece chamber orchestra composed of HKUST students. Amidst these festivities, the winners of the THE Awards Asia 2026 were announced.
In addition, HKUST was delighted to learn at the exclusive live reveal of the THE Asia University Rankings 2026, during a drinks reception on the evening of Day 2, that it had maintained its position at #12.
Speaker Sessions
A high number of HKUST speakers, including senior leaders, researchers, and students, spoke during the AUS.
Prof. Yike GUO, Provost, examined how GenAI is rapidly reshaping higher education and research, improving teaching efficiency, accelerating discovery, and transforming university operations. Smart cities, the low-attitude economy, and the future of living were the topics of a session featuring Prof. Hong LO, Dean of Engineering and Director of the GREAT Smart Cities Institute.
An all-HKUST panel—Prof. Christine LOH, Chief Development Strategist; Prof. Jimmy FUNG, Associate Provost of Teaching and Learning; and Prof. Charles NG, Vice-President for Institutional Advancement —discussed whether cities are adapting fast enough to escalating physical climate risks.
Prof. Tim CHENG, Vice-President for Research and Development, participated in an interactive workshop that brought together academic entrepreneurs, tech transfer experts, and venture capitalists.
With the development of the School of Medicine at HKUST firmly in mind, Prof. King CHOW, Professor of Life Science, Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Public Policy, moderated a talk on advances in biomedicine and engineering.
Prof. Kar Yan TAM, Vice-President for Administration and Business, joined a discussion on whether borderless research in a nationalistic age was a utopian dream or an achievable future.
Student Voices
The summit also offered HKUST students the opportunity to share their insights after interacting with speakers and delegates over the course of the three days. Juan KAGEYAMA, a Year 2 undergraduate in the School of Business and Management, and Annie WONG, a Research Postgraduate student in the School of Engineering, delighted the audience with their astute observations, especially their thoughts on the use of AI in the classroom.
Day Zero Engagement
Before the summit, as part of HKUST's leadership role in enhancing the tangible societal impact of higher education on a global scale, Prof. Ip convened a one-day roundtable with presidents from numerous globally renowned universities, including those from Australia, Japan, Singapore, Sweden, Turkey, and the UK, to exchange insights on how higher education can drive regional transformation.
The discussion focused on sharing perspectives and experiences in developing a University Town within the Northern Metropolis — a proposed major development area in Hong Kong aimed at integrating housing, innovation, and higher education. The goal is to build a robust ecosystem for collaboration among academia, industry, and the innovation community to generate tangible societal impact, such as accelerating technology transfer, fostering cross-sector R&D partnerships, and creating live-work-learn spaces that support sustainable urban growth.
The day-long event featured key insights from Mr. Ryan Ip, Vice-President and Executive Director of the Public Policy Institute of Our Hong Kong Foundation, and Mr. Daniel Ekström, Counsellor for Science and Innovation at the Embassy of Sweden in China.
Looking to the Future
Further amplifying the harmony between HKUST’s bold strategic drive and the theme of the occasion, Prof. Nancy Ip reiterated at the closing ceremony on Day 3 of the event that universities in the region were cultivating vibrant, cosmopolitan campuses that offered diverse learning experiences and opportunities to engage with the global community.
In alignment with HKUST’s strategic priorities, she noted the importance of spearheading interdisciplinary education and research and development.
“Most importantly, we are strategically positioned to harness opportunities emerging from the development of the Greater Bay Area and the Belt and Road Initiative,” she said, noting, with reference to the summit’s theme, how the profound developments signal a shift from participation to leadership across Asia.
During the Gala Dinner, the winners of the THE Awards Asia 2026 were also announced.
Attendees at the Gala Dinner were treated to a spectacular dance show that put Hong Kong in the map.
