The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) hosts the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) Annual Presidents\u2019 Meeting (APM) 2026 from 21 to 23 June. Marking the 30th anniversary of APRU, this year\u2019s meeting is held under the theme \u201cThe Next Horizon: Shaping Universities for a Changing World\u201d. The event brings together about 150 distinguished presidents and senior leaders from 45 leading research universities across 19 economies in the Asia-Pacific region to address pressing challenges, including the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on teaching, learning, and research; the need to build sustainable and inclusive higher education systems; and the evolving role of universities as trusted institutions in an increasingly complex geopolitical and socio-economic landscape.<\/p>\r\n
An opening ceremony was held today (22 June) in Hong Kong. Professor Dennis Lo Yuk-ming<\/strong>, CUHK\u2019s Vice-Chancellor and President, said in his welcome remarks: \u201cUniversities stand at a defining threshold. As knowledge institutions, we must not only respond to technological and societal change, but actively help shape it. CUHK is honoured to host the APRU Annual Presidents\u2019 Meeting on its campus, and to support the Association in convening this important dialogue. By bringing global university leaders together to reflect on innovation, inclusion, and sustainability in higher education, we will contribute to the collective effort of envisioning the next horizon of universities and their responsibility to society.\u201d Professor Lo added that Hong Kong is particularly well positioned to host this important event, given its position as an international education hub and its deep commitment to driving innovation and technology. As a gateway connecting the Chinese Mainland and the world, Hong Kong has provided a unique platform for fostering collaboration across cultures and systems.<\/p>\r\n Professor Lo joined the panel titled \u201cThe Transformation of Learning: Designing Education Together\u201d, where he emphasised the importance of ensuring graduates remain deeply human in an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence and automation, while highlighting the unique role of Asian universities in shaping innovative and globally relevant education models.<\/p>\r\n Professor Ho Teck<\/strong>-h<\/strong>ua<\/strong>, President of Nanyang Technological University and Chair of APRU, said: \u201cThe APRU Annual Presidents\u2019 Meeting at CUHK gives us the opportunity to discuss the changes brought about by new talent flow dynamics across the world and the rise of artificial intelligence. These new talent flows will help spread academic talent and ideas around the world. The disruptions caused by AI force us to consider how we can best prepare our students for the job market of the future while also emphasising the importance of humanity.\u201d<\/p>\r\n Professor Thomas Schneider<\/strong>, Chief Executive of APRU, said: \u201cFor three decades, the APRU Annual Presidents\u2019 Meeting has provided a trusted space for university leaders to think critically and act collectively. The conversations in Hong Kong reflect both the urgency and the opportunity before us. Universities must lead with purpose, drawing on evidence, collaboration, and innovation to help societies navigate complexity. Through this meeting, APRU aims to strengthen shared priorities and advance solutions that serve the Asia\u2011Pacific region and contribute meaningfully to the global public good.\u201d<\/p>\r\n APRU presidents reaffirmed their commitment to advancing innovation, inclusion and sustainability in higher education, working together to shape a new vision for universities while upholding the public good and responding to the evolving needs of the Asia Pacific and the world.<\/p>\r\n APRU Senior International Leaders\u2019 Meeting<\/strong> to foster global exchange<\/strong><\/p>\r\n In addition to the APM,\u00a0CUHK will host the Senior International Leaders\u2019 Meeting (SILM) 2026 from 23 to 24 June under the theme \u201cWhat does it mean for Global Engagement to be Resilient and Inclusive?\u201d, further underscoring CUHK\u2019s commitment to promoting global academic exchange. Delegates will visit the CUHK Art Museum and its latest exhibition, \u201cThe Qianlong Emperor: A Legacy in Art, The Huaihaitang Collection\u201d.<\/p>\r\n Professor Josh Yiu Chun-chong<\/strong>, Director of the CUHK Art Museum, said: \u201cThe CUHK Art Museum is honoured to welcome the APRU Senior International Leaders\u2019 Meeting as a space for dialogue, reflection, and exchange. Museums and universities share a common purpose in bringing diverse perspectives into conversation, fostering openness, and deepening understanding across cultures. We are pleased to host APRU\u2019s international leaders here, and to contribute to a gathering that places community, inclusivity, and shared learning at the heart of global engagement.\u201d<\/p>\r\n CUHK\u2019s hosting of these two flagship APRU meetings reflects its longstanding commitment to advancing global engagement and to shaping the future of higher education through collaboration, dialogue and shared purpose. Internationalisation is deeply embedded in the University\u2019s mission, supported by an extensive network of over 400 international partners. With a strong focus on fostering global collaboration in education and research, CUHK continues to advance knowledge, nurture future generations, and address global challenges with innovative and impactful solutions.<\/p>\r\n About APRU <\/strong><\/p>\r\n APRU is a network of 64 leading universities across Asia, North America, South America and Australasia across 20 economies, fostering collaboration to address global challenges through research, policy dialogue and academic partnership.<\/p>\r\n As an active member of APRU, CUHK has contributed leadership to key network initiatives spanning sustainability and biodiversity, global health, sustainable cities and landscape, virtual exchange, global citizenship, and student mobility, demonstrating its strong academic leadership and professional capacity across APRU priorities.\u00a0<\/p>","show_as_achievement":false,"achievement_category":[],"show_as_clarification":false,"show_as_announcement":false,"photos":[{"photo":237371,"caption":"CUHK hosts the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) Annual Presidents\u2019 Meeting (APM) 2026."},{"photo":237401,"caption":"Professor Dennis Lo Yuk-ming, CUHK\u2019s Vice-Chancellor and President, delivers welcome remarks."},{"photo":237370,"caption":"Professor Ho Teck-hua, President of Nanyang Technological University and Chair of APRU, gives a speech."},{"photo":237372,"caption":"Professor Thomas Schneider, Chief Executive of APRU, gives a speech."},{"photo":237369,"caption":"Professor Lo (middle) speaks at the panel discussion \u201cThe Transformation of Learning: Designing Education Together\u201d, highlighting the importance of human-centred education in the age of AI."},{"photo":237367,"caption":"Professor Lo (11th right) hosts a dinner for participating presidents at Sha Tin Racecourse."}],"attachments":null,"video_source":"","video_file":"","add_play_button":false,"video_caption":"","show_migration":false,"original_id":0,"photos_original":null,"attachments_original":null,"cover_photo":237373,"fb_photo":null,"cover_image":null},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press\/237342","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/press"}],"version-history":[{"count":22,"href":"https:\/\/www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press\/237342\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":237417,"href":"https:\/\/www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press\/237342\/revisions\/237417"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=237342"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=237342"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}