QS Editorial
Published on 18 March 2026
The “Study in Hong Kong” brand shone brightly in February, as The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) welcomed over 3,500 delegates from 72 countries and regions to the Asia‑Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) 2026 Conference and Exhibition – one of the world’s three most prominent international education conferences.
Over five days, delegates explored the future of higher education under the theme “Asia‑Pacific Partnerships for the Global Good”. Across some 130 sessions, universities and education leaders exchanged ideas and strengthened Hong Kong’s role as a bridge between East and West.
Setting the tone for a purposeful week
The conference opened 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 highlighted three enduring Asian principles – interdependence, harmony and universal responsibility – as values that offer strikingly modern answers to the sector’s most urgent questions and underscore the power of partnership for the global good.
Professor Lo expressed gratitude for CUHK’s opportunity to host the event again 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.
The ceremony also featured a spirited lion dance and eye‑dotting ceremony, hallmark of Hong Kong’s traditions. Award‑winning Hong Kong filmmaker Robin Lee shared insights from his documentary Four Trails, noting that Hong Kong’s cultural diversity is a prime attraction for international students. He encouraged the audience that everyone has their own four trails, each meaningful and unique.
Trust and resilience at the top
At the 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 resilient partnerships.
The leaders expressed optimism about the value of collaboration. 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
The Student Plenary, “Global Perspectives on Student Success in Hong Kong”, co‑chaired by CUHK’s Professor Irwin King and Hong Kong Baptist University’s Dr Albert Chau, gave eight students from seven countries a platform to reflect on how the city had shaped their academic journeys and personal growth.
Shiven Garg from India, a CUHK PhD student, shared how joining student clubs built his leadership skills and praised Hong Kong’s 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 emphasised Hong Kong’s combination of academic rigour, innovation and unparallelled global connectivity, which empowers graduates to build networks that extend far beyond the region.
This event brought together all eight University Grants Committee funded universities to showcase Hong Kong’s worldclass academic excellence, innovation driven economy and cosmopolitan character. As a founding APAIE member and the 2026 lead host, CUHK reaffirmed its commitment to developing impactful global partnerships and nurturing future global citizens.
A photo feature on APAIE 2026 can be found here.
