HKUST(GZ) Launches Global Leaders Forum
On March 27th, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) successfully launched the Global Leaders Forum, a new dialogue platform for the prominent figures and the HKUST(GZ) community and beyond.
The first edition of the forum has convened eight leaders from across Europe, Asia, Oceania, and North America, discussing the theme "Shaping the Future: The New Paradigm for Research Universities in the AI Era." Their dialogue aims to forge a strategic vision and actionable framework for the future of universities.
The launch of the Global Leaders Forum is part of the series of highlight events celebrating the 35th anniversary of HKUST and the panelists were attending the inaugural meeting of the Global Strategic Advisory Board at HKUST(GZ). The event was moderated by Professor Ye Qi, Dean of the Society Hub at HKUST(GZ).
Professor Lionel M. Ni, President of HKUST(GZ) kicked off the event, saying, “Higher education and research is profoundly impacted by Artificial Intelligence. Revolution is ongoing and reformation is at urge. Two days ago, we were honored to host eight world-renowned education leaders at our university to provide insights on our university’s strategic direction. And today, we are thrilled to have them here to share their experiences and discuss the future of education at this forum.”
Professor Sir Jim McDonald, Former Principal and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Strathclyde said, “What is going to make AI work for humanity is the connection between humanities, social sciences, engineering and science.” He advocated HKUST(GZ)'s interdisciplinary approach that provides engagement to business, industry and government, which opens possibilities to make the difference.
Professor Dawn Freshwater, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Auckland, expressed concern over the trend of reducing graduate numbers and research funding in the humanities and social sciences. She emphasized that increased investment in these areas is vital to ensure the integration of humanities, social sciences, and technology, guiding society in the right direction. “This is all about being pro-human through our education.” She called for more action to properly manage the relationship between humans and AI.
Professor Ningsheng Xu, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences highlighted that AI has become essential in modern society and called for heightened attention to research in this area to ensure that technology serves humanity and promotes sustainable development. He noted that HKUST(GZ), as a highly innovative research university, focuses on frontier interdisciplinary fields and actively develops AI-related research and talent cultivation. He encouraged the university to keep leveraging its interdisciplinary innovation strengths to support socially beneficial technology and contribute to societal and global sustainable development.
President Anna Fontcuberta i Morral of École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne emphasized that education must evolve with the times, with AI playing a crucial role in rethinking learning and teaching methods. Future leaders need a solid foundation of knowledge to critically understand the information provided by AI. “Mathematics, physics...these fundamentals give your brain ‘muscle’ to think critically. And critical thinking becomes very essential in AI era.”
When asked about AI's impact on traditional Engineering Science, Rector Ulrich Rüdiger of RWTH Aachen University expressed confidence, “AI is not merely a tool for optimizing assembly lines; it is essential for enhancing the quality of engineering products.” Aachen, as a hub of Germany's Industry 4.0, is actively integrating AI technology to enhance engineering capabilities. While AI talent is highly mobile in enterprises, many students and researchers still value creativity and research freedom outside of industry. Aachen aims to foster an open research environment to attract top talent.
Former President Jacques Biot of École Polytechnique echod with HKUST(GZ)'s entrepreneurial spirit and noted the university's efforts in fostering startups. He emphasized the importance of innovation, entrepreneurship, and industry-academia integration in higher education.
Former President Feridun Hamdullahpur of the University of Waterloo marked that HKUST(GZ) has created an environment conducive to self-learning. He stressed that students should take internships early in their studies to combine classroom learning with work experience. Many employers report a skills gap among graduates, and HKUST(GZ)’s educational model serves as a leading approach to bridging this divide. The essence of modern higher education lies in integrating knowledge with societal and industrial needs, fostering talent equipped to tackle real-world challenges.
Former President Wei Shyy of HKUST reiterated the importance of integrating humanities and social sciences alongside technological advancements. “We are doing very well in scientific aspect, but on the social and humanities side, we need to pay more attention on the human-centric mindset.” He said. Future educational initiatives must prioritize human values and societal impact to equip students for navigating the dynamic social and technological environment.
Participants in the forum included Vice-President (Teaching & Learning) Professor Jingshen Wu, Vice-President (Administration & Business) Professor Ting Chuen Pong, and Vice-President (Research) Professor Ricky Shi-Wei Lee and other members of the leadership at HKUST(GZ).
