The World Class University Presidents Forum 2026 (WCUPF 2026) opened today at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)'s Shaw Auditorium, bringing together more than 130 university presidents, senior leaders and delegates from leading higher education institutions around the world. Under the theme "Higher Education Reimagined: Innovating for the Future," participants will explore the evolving role of universities and the future of higher education in the age of artificial intelligence.
The two-day flagship forum provides a unique platform for dialogue among global higher education leaders on the future of universities in a rapidly changing world. More than 130 university presidents, senior leaders, scholars and delegates from over 50 leading universities and higher education organizations across Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia and the Americas have gathered to discuss how institutions can nurture future-ready talent, foster innovation, advance open science, and address the complex challenges facing society. Participating institutions include Tsinghua University, Peking University, Fudan University, Nanyang Technological University, Korea University, the University of Cambridge, King's College London, the University of Warwick, the University of California, Los Angeles, the University of Barcelona, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, the University of Sydney, and the University of Cape Town, among many others.
The attending guests engaged in in-depth discussions around three key themes: The University in the AI Era, The University and Society, and The University and Civilization. They shared insights, experiences and forward-looking strategies on how higher education institutions respond to rapid technological advancements, demographic change, intensifying global competition for talent, and the imperative of sustainable development.
The opening ceremony was officiated by Mr. CHAN Kwok-ki, Acting Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR); Mr. HUAI Jinpeng, Minister of Education of China; Mr. SUN Shangwu, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR; Dr. CHOI Yuk-lin, Secretary for Education of the HKSAR Government; Ms. LIN Huiqing, President of the China Association of Higher Education (CAHE); and Mr. ZHANG Hui, Vice Chairman, Executive Director and President of Bank of China.
The ceremony featured welcome addresses by Prof. Harry SHUM, Council Chairman of HKUST, and Prof. Nancy IP, President of HKUST; opening remarks by Mr. Chan Kwok-ki; video messages from Mr. Khondker M. TALHA, President of the 43rd Session of UNESCO's General Conference, and former United Nations Secretary-General BAN Ki-moon; as well as remarks by Ms. Lin Huiqing, President of CAHE.
The Hon CHAN Kwok-ki remarked, "We live in an age of rapid technological change, systemic economic shifts, and unprecedented global challenges. In this transformative landscape, universities are no longer just communities of learning and skills development-they are engines of innovation, guardians of truth, and architects of our collective future. Hong Kong is proud to be a global hub for education and talent, remaining the only city in the world with five universities in the global top 100. This achievement is the direct result of sustained government investment, clear policy direction, and the hard work of our universities. A prime example of our forward-looking strategy is the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town, while our flagship 'Study in Hong Kong' initiative welcomes students from the Chinese Mainland, the Belt and Road countries and regions, and around the world. Positioned as a bridge between the Mainland and the global higher education system, Hong Kong is opening doors for our youth to engage with diverse cultures and cutting-edge ideas. By nurturing globally minded innovators, we plant the seeds for a more collaborative and prosperous world."
Ms. Lin Huiqing said, "The world is undergoing profound and interconnected transformations. A new wave of technological and industrial change is accelerating, with artificial intelligence becoming increasingly integrated into every aspect of human life and work. At the same time, societies are evolving rapidly, and interactions among diverse civilizations are taking on new dimensions. Changes in technology, industry, society, and civilization are driving profound transformations in education, raising fundamental questions about the evolving role of higher education and the renewed mission of universities. Transforming higher education requires the global higher education community to work together. Universities must embrace their leadership role by nurturing future-ready talent, advancing the frontiers of scientific and technological innovation, promoting sustainable development, and contributing to the progress of human civilization. Through collaboration and shared commitment, we can help build a better world."
Prof. Harry Shum said, "We meet at a pivotal moment for higher education. Artificial intelligence is transforming how we learn, work and create knowledge, while geopolitical and economic shifts are reshaping the environment in which universities operate. This Forum brings together leaders from many of the world's leading universities to reflect on the role of higher education in the AI era and on our shared responsibility to educate future generations, advance knowledge, foster innovation, bridge diverse perspectives, and contribute to human progress. While our institutions differ in history and mission, we are united for a common purpose. As we navigate one of the most profound transformations in the history of higher education, it is essential that we work together to ensure that our universities remain powerful forces for opportunity, innovation, progress, and the greater good."
In her concluding remarks at the opening ceremony, Prof. Nancy Ip highlighted, "It is important to recognize the vital role universities play in shaping a rapidly changing world. International collaboration, innovation and knowledge exchange are more important than ever in addressing humanity's shared challenges and opportunities. As a gateway between our country and the world, and a global hub for education, research, and innovation, Hong Kong has long been a place where different perspectives converge, partnerships take shape, and ideas are translated into impact. That is why Hong Kong is a fitting home for this gathering. I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the university leaders from around the world for joining us, and to the HKSAR Government for its strong support in making this gathering possible."
The opening day of the Forum was marked by the signing of multiple agreements and memoranda of understanding, underscoring the participating institutions' collective commitment to strengthening research collaboration, fostering innovation, nurturing talent, and promoting student exchange. Institutions involved in these partnerships included Zhejiang University, HKUST, Nanjing University, University of Barcelona, Monash University, Central South University, Southeast University, Newcastle University, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Nanyang Technological University, and the University of Warwick.
Throughout the Forum, participants will engage in a series of keynote addresses, panel discussions and roundtable sessions focusing on key issues shaping the future of higher education, including:
- The University and the Century Ahead;
- Educating the Human: The Generation Shaping the Intelligent Age;
- From Ideas to Innovation: Universities Driving the Future Economy;
- Health Without Borders: Universities and the Next Century of Global Health;
- Universities for a Habitable Planet: Leading the Response to Global Challenges;
- Bridges Across Borders: Advancing Open Science; and
- Rooted and Reaching: The University in its Place and in the World.
Ahead of the Forum's official opening, HKUST hosted two pre-forum events, namely the Alliance of Open Life Science International Young Scholars Forum (AOLSIYSF) and the AI Open Alliance Forum, setting the stage for the flagship gathering. The AOLSIYSF, themed "Empowering Young Scholars · Energizing Open Life Sciences," focused on cutting-edge research and the development of young talent in the life sciences. Meanwhile, the AI Open Alliance Forum, under the theme "When Carbon-based Intelligence Meets Silicon-based Intelligence," explored the profound interplay between technological advancement and human society in the age of artificial intelligence. Bringing together university leaders, distinguished scientists, young researchers, and industry representatives from around the world, the two events highlighted HKUST's commitment to advancing interdisciplinary collaboration, fostering research and innovation, and nurturing the next generation of global talent.
During the two-day Forum, higher education leaders from around the globe engaged in in-depth exchanges on the future development of higher education in the AI era, sharing perspectives on fostering innovation, nurturing talent, and strengthening global partnerships. On Friday, delegates will take part in a Greater Bay Area Innovation Tour, visiting leading technology enterprises and research facilities in the region to gain firsthand insights into the region's dynamic innovation ecosystem, as well as Hong Kong's growing importance in driving international research collaboration and innovation-driven development.
