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With The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) as the lead host, the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) 2026 Conference and Exhibition opened today (24 February) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. As one of the world’s three most prominent international education conferences, this year’s APAIE Conference and Exhibition is set to be a record-breaking event, expected to attract over 3,000 international education leaders and experts from over 70 countries and regions, bringing global voices to explore key issues and emerging trends in higher education. The event not only showcases the excellence of Hong Kong’s higher education sector, but also advances the city’s internationalisation agenda, underscoring Hong Kong’s leadership on the global education stage.

Themed “Asia-Pacific Partnerships for the Global Good”, the event began with an opening ceremony featuring a traditional lion dance performance. Professor Venky Shankararaman, President of APAIE; Professor Dennis Lo Yuk-ming, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK; Dr Choi Yuk-lin, Secretary for Education of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China; Mr Tim Lui, Chairman of the University Grants Committee (UGC); Dr David Wong, Chairman of Education Commission; and Professor James Tang, Secretary-General of the UGC, together with representatives from the other seven UGC-funded universities, jointly officiated the opening with an eye-dotting ceremony for the lion dance, bringing a vibrant Chinese New Year atmosphere and filling the event with festive energy.

Dr Choi said in her speech: “Hong Kong, as Asia’s world city, possesses advantages in global connectivity, world-class infrastructure, and rich cultural experiences that attract outstanding talent. The universities funded by the University Grants Committee enjoy international renown, with five institutions ranked among the world’s top 100 and consistently placing highly in global rankings for university internationalisation. As the ‘super connector’ of the global education network, Hong Kong’s hosting of the APAIE Conference and Exhibition is a testament to the city’s status as an international post-secondary education hub, and provides an important platform to facilitate collaboration on teaching and research among Hong Kong’s education representatives and their counterparts worldwide.”

Professor Lo expressed gratitude that APAIE had once again entrusted CUHK with the honour to be the local lead host of the conference. He said: “Established with the mission to bridge China and the West, CUHK has long been committed to advancing global education, as reflected in our diverse academic community, cross-border partnerships, and continuous efforts to promote multicultural exchange. This year’s theme demonstrates our shared responsibility to contribute our strengths and perspectives to advance education, transcending borders, and disciplines. Here in Hong Kong, a city known for connecting people from across the world, we are uniquely positioned to nurture meaningful partnerships and people-to-people exchanges that can create a positive and lasting impact not only in our region, but around the world”.

Professor Shankararaman expressed that this year’s theme, “Asia-Pacific Partnerships for the Global Good”, was extremely relevant for international higher education at this juncture. He noted that the three ancient wisdoms, including Interdependence, Harmony and Universal Responsibility from this part of the world, offered surprisingly modern answers to our most pressing question: How do we build partnerships that truly serve the global good?  He added that, with a rich lineup of programme, the conference was set to strengthen international education partnership for the advancement of global society.

Running over five days (23 – 27 February), APAIE 2026 Conference and Exhibition offers a dynamic platform for dialogue and collaboration, strengthening educational partnerships across the Asia Pacific and beyond. Over 450 universities and organisations from around the world are showcasing their initiatives at the exhibition. Hong Kong’s eight UGC‑funded universities also jointly host a “Study in Hong Kong” pavilion, highlighting the strengths and distinctiveness of Hong Kong’s higher education and promoting the “Study in Hong Kong” brand. The programme also features a keynote speech, concurrent sessions, round-table discussions, workshops, networking events and visits to local university campuses, giving participants an in-depth understanding of Hong Kong’s educational advantages and opportunities.

About APAIE

The Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) is a non-profit organisation that seeks to activate and reinforce the internationalisation of higher education in the Asia-Pacific region and around the world. It aims to promote best practice and collaboration for academic excellence by facilitating greater cooperation among those responsible for higher education and enhancing the quality of international programmes, activities and student mobility. APAIE was established in 2004, with CUHK as one of the 13 founding members from the Asia-Pacific region. Its secretariat is based in Australia. Since 2006, the APAIE Conference and Exhibition has been held annually at a different city each year to provide a platform for exchange and collaboration among educators. APAIE 2026 Conference and Exhibition is hosted by CUHK, with co-hosting by the other seven University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities. It is supported by the Education Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, UGC and Hong Kong Tourism Board.

For more information about APAIE 2026 Conference and Exhibition, please visit: https://apaie.net/conferences/apaie-2026/