Sponsored Content
High-profile Asia-Pacific Summits see Lingnan take centre stage
Share this page
Founded in Guangzhou in 1888, Lingnan University has a storied heritage as a prominent tertiary institution. After thriving as Lingnan Xuexiao and Lingnan University until 1952, it was re-established in Hong Kong in 1967. Today, Lingnan aims to become a globally recognised, research-intensive liberal arts institution in the digital era, renowned for its excellence in teaching, learning, research and community engagement.
Lingnan University took centre stage in November 2023, playing a crucial role in two significant events. These gatherings brought together leading academics and administrators to discuss the future of liberal arts education and the potential impact of fast-paced technological advancements.
The first event, known as the Pre-Summit APAC 2023, was held on Lingnan's campus on 3 November 2023. This event was organised in partnership with QS (Quacquarelli Symonds).
Attracting an audience of 450, the summit used a hybrid format to allow influential figures from across the Asia-Pacific region to discuss how disciplines traditionally classified within the arts and humanities are evolving. Participants also explored the implications of these changes for universities, students and general teaching and learning methods.
Lingnan's President S. Joe Qin stressed the need for progressive institutions to demonstrate their commitment to change and to foster the mindset and partnerships necessary to keep up with others in the digital era.
The keynote speech at the Pre-Summit delved into the application of modern technology in education and how liberal arts universities are adapting. It emphasised the critical need to integrate technology while promoting interdisciplinary collaboration. Subsequent sessions underscored the importance of integrating scientific thinking into liberal arts curricula, signaling a future demand for STEM skills among all students.
The Pre-Summit acted as a precursor to the main event: the QS Higher Education APAC Summit 2023. This summit took place in Malaysia from 7-9 November at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
Over 1,000 academics, senior government officials and representatives from business and universities converged for a remarkable kick-off ceremony hosted by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). This was followed by three days of high-level discussions on themes that will shape and direct the next few years.
The agenda covered a wide range of topics, from the future of work and talent development to the translation of higher education outcomes into community well-being. There were also discussions on the respective roles of universities and industry partners in developing sustainable cities, strategies to maximise the value of research and the impact of the 4th industrial revolution.
The Summit's opening panel, featuring Lingnan's President S. Joe Qin, focussed on "Higher Education in APAC: Defining and Measuring Success." The session, set against the rise of Asia's higher education institutions, dissected the sector's unique challenges, measures of success and the need for adaptation to achieve inclusive and sustainable outcomes in a rapidly changing environment.
During a panel discussion at the Summit, Professor Joshua Mok, Vice-President of Lingnan University examined the dynamics of international student enrolment. While Asia boasts top-tier universities with growing demand, the panel discussed enhancing recruitment from neighboring and distant regions. They delved into ongoing challenges, institutional differentiation strategies, the pros and cons of hybrid learning and ways to improve the experience of international students.
Not surprisingly, these ongoing links were also a major subject of conversation among the 500-plus guests at the Gala Dinner held on 7 November, especially after the presentation of QS Star Certificates for certain notable achievements.
Lingnan University was among the recipients of the highest honour, the QS 5 Stars Plus rating, alongside Australia's University of Wollongong. This rating system evaluates performance in at least seven categories, including research, teaching, innovation, inclusiveness and environmental impact, providing prospective students with an idea of a university's strengths and priorities.
On this occasion, Lingnan was particularly commended for its strong internationalisation, the employability of its graduates and its commitment to providing an exceptional academic experience.
In addition to achieving impressive results in QS Stars Award, Lingnan University has consistently secured a position among the top three universities worldwide for "Quality Education" over the past four years, even ranking in the top two globally in the THE Impact Rankings 2023. Furthermore, Lingnan has distinguished itself by ranking among the top 100 universities in East Asia for its exceptional performance in individual subjects, as indicated in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023.
Professors Qin and Mok accepted the award, later using the occasion to discuss potential future collaborations with other leading universities.
At the Summit's conclusion, in the official handover ceremony, it was confirmed that Lingnan has been selected to co-host the QS Higher Education APAC Summit 2024. Furthermore, Lingnan will host the Post-Summit of the QS Higher Education APAC Summit 2024, with the Macau University of Science and Technology leading the event.
To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the QS World University Rankings, Lingnan University sponsored a celebratory dinner on 9 November 2023.