From 8 to 9 July 2025, the Digital Universities Asia 2025 Summit, organised by Times Higher Education (THE) in partnership with Lingnan University, was held in Hong Kong, China. Themed “Powering social innovation with digital transformation", the event brought together over 300 leading scholars, policy experts, and industry leaders from more than 90 universities and 140 organisations worldwide. Participants looked at how emerging technologies, and particularly artificial intelligence (AI), can transform teaching and learning, and promote sustainability and social progress. Ms. BI Xiaohan, Deputy Director of the International Centre for Higher Education Innovation under the auspices of UNESCO (UNESCO-ICHEI), was invited to attend the summit and join a panel discussion.

THE Digital Universities Asia 2025 Summit was held at Lingnan University

(Photo credit: Lingnan University)

The opening ceremony was attended by Dr. Choi Yuk-lin, Secretary for Education, Government of Hong Kong SAR; Ms. Mei Mei Lim, THE President for APAC; Mr. Andrew Yao Cho-fai, Council Chairman of Lingnan University; Prof. S. Joe Qin, President and Wai Kee Kau Chair Professor of Data Science at Lingnan University; and Prof. Raymond Chan Hon-fu, Vice-President (Academics) cum Provost and Lam Man Tsan Chair Professor of Scientific Computing.

In her address, Dr. Choi emphasized that digital tools and emerging technologies are reshaping the educational landscape. She highlighted the Hong Kong SAR Government's ongoing efforts to reform teaching and research through policy support, helping younger generations adapt to a rapidly evolving future. She also underscored the global nature of the challenges we face, calling for cross-sector, international collaboration to build an inclusive and empowering educational ecosystem.

Prof. S. Joe Qin noted that the summit's theme aligns closely with Lingnan University's strategic focus on AI and higher education transformation. He emphasised the university's commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology in both teaching and research, accelerating knowledge transfer, and contributing to Hong Kong's economic growth and industrial upgrading.

Dr. Choi Yuk-lin delivers opening remarks (Photo credit: Lingnan University)	Prof. S. Joe Qin delivers opening remarks (Photo credit: Lingnan University)

The summit featured keynote speeches and panel discussions under four key themes: "Teching, learning and assessment transformations", "Embracing the digital campus", "Enabling student success in the digital era" , and "Digitally transforming the research experience". These sessions explored how digital transformation is reshaping higher education and its societal role. Throughout the summit, experts from both academia and industry shared insights and engaged in dialogue on key trends and challenges.

In the first panel session—"Driving Diversity in Tech: Building Inclusive Pathways for Innovation and Growth"—Ms. Bi Xiaohan shared UNESCO-ICHEI's efforts in advancing the digital transformation of higher education globally, building faculty capacity, and promoting equity and innovation.

In his keynote speech, Mr. Li Junfeng, Vice President of Huawei and CEO of the Global Public Sector Business Unit, emphasised that deeper collaboration between universities and industry is essential for advancing educational innovation and talent development. He called for the joint creation of a more open and practice-oriented digital talent ecosystem.

Professor Simon Chesterman, Vice-Provost of Education Innovation at the National University of Singapore, delivered a keynote speech titled "Future Proof? The Digital Crossroads for Universities and Our Students in a Disrupted World." He noted that while digital transformation presents significant opportunities for higher education, it also brings substantial challenges. He called on universities to rethink their educational mission and focus on cultivating future leaders equipped with critical thinking, creativity, and ethical judgment—individuals who can not only adapt to change, but also drive it.

Ms. Bi Xiaohan shares insights during the panel session	Mr. Li Junfeng delivers keynote speech	Prof. Simon Chesterman delivers keynote speech

About Times Higher Education (THE)

Times Higher Education (THE) is a globally recognised institution in higher education, dedicated to providing university rankings, education news, and high-quality data services to support strategic planning and the enhancement of teaching and research across universities worldwide. Its World University Rankings serve as a key reference for universities, governments, and students in making informed decisions. In addition to rankings, THE organizes global and regional summits that foster dialogue among academia, policymakers, and industry leaders, promoting continuous innovation and international collaboration in higher education. Its Digital Universities summit series brings together leaders from higher education, industry, and policy to explore the challenges and opportunities of digital transformation, and to collectively reimagine the role of universities in the digital age.