CityUHK scholars highlight inter-disciplinary research excellence and Northern Metropolis University Town Strategy at QS APAC Summit
City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) continues to expand its global academic network, driving cross-regional research collaboration and talent exchange. At the QS Higher Ed Summit: Asia Pacific 2026 held in Bali, Indonesia, CityUHK actively engaged with institutions worldwide through its dedicated exhibition booth. Key academic leaders delivered keynote speeches and hosted interdisciplinary panel discussions, underscoring the University’s global strategy and long-term vision for the Northern Metropolis University Town.
During the summit, Professor Li Wen Jung, Vice-President (Talent and International Strategy) and Chair Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, delivered a keynote address, showcasing CityUHK’s innovative ideas and experience in translating research into practice. Professor Li emphasised that a top institution’s global impact is defined not by the size of its physical campus, but by its research depth and the quality of its talent. He noted that CityUHK is proud to be one of only eight universities in the Greater China region ranked among the top 100 globally across four major ranking tables.
He elaborated on the evolution of higher education, highlighting the shift from preserving traditional knowledge in earlier generations to driving technical translation during industrialisation, and eventually focusing on social responsibility and technology transfer. Addressing the global challenge of a disconnect between academia and industry, CityUHK is leading the transition to a “Fourth Generation” paradigm, where knowledge is co-created by government, industry, market demand and academic researchers.
CityUHK has consistently championed the commercialisation of research outcomes and the integration of industry, academia, and research. Citing CityUHK’s flagship innovation and entrepreneurship programme, HK Tech 300, as a key example, Professor Li highlighted how the University has cultivated a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. He stressed that transforming fundamental research into deep-tech solutions with tangible societal impact requires a long-term commitment of 10 to 20 years. He called on universities to reform paper-centric evaluation systems to grant faculty and students greater flexibility for research and development.
In addition, CityUHK academics hosted a panel discussion titled “The Multilingual Mind: How Language Shapes Decisions and the Ageing Brain”. Led by Professor Niels Schiller, Chair Professor and Head of the Department of Linguistics and Translation, and Professor Adel Chaouch-Orozco from the same department, the session brought together experts from the United Kingdom and Malaysia to explore the impact of multilingualism on decision-making processes and brain health.
To strengthen collaborative networks, Professor Li and Professor Shirley Chong, Chief Communications and Global Affairs Officer, met with senior leaders and international affairs heads from universities across Asia during the summit. Their discussions focused on opportunities for collaboration in emerging research areas, including faculty exchanges, joint research initiatives and student mobility programmes.
During the meetings, Professor Li and Professor Chong shared CityUHK’s long-term vision for the Northern Metropolis University Town. Overseas representatives responded enthusiastically to the vision and its positioning as a cross-regional innovation hub. The discussions also explored opportunities for deeper research collaboration, knowledge transfer and the establishment of joint laboratories, paving the way for forward-looking cross-regional partnership models.
Through its presence at the summit, CityUHK enhanced its international academic reputation and global brand influence while forging meaningful cross-regional opportunities. Moving forward, CityUHK will leverage its core strengths in internationalisation and cutting-edge research translation to build academic bridges with leading global partners, addressing contemporary challenges and driving sustainable societal development.