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2025 International Advisory Board for Graduate Studies (IAB) Annual Meeting Day 2 – World-Class Connections Spark Tomorrow's Leaders

Following a series of thought-provoking keynote presentations and discussions on AI ethics, the second day (26 June) of the 2025 IAB Annual Meeting explored AI’s transformative potential through PhD student presentations and competitions.

Earlier this year, PhD students from participating institutions around the world submitted “AI+” research abstracts. Key areas of focus included Creative Media and Practice, Health and Drug Discovery, and Humanities and Cultures. Twenty-nine participants showcased their projects during dynamic poster sessions.

PhD students from participating institutions included:
 • Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) and Beijing Normal-Hong Kong Baptist University (BNBU) 
  • Cornell University, Fudan University
  • Imperial College London
  • Nanyang Technological University
  • National University of Singapore
  • The Australian National University
  • The University of Western Australia
  • University of Science and Technology of China
  • Zhejiang University

 

Phd Students Poster Presentations

PhD Student Posters Presentations 2 PhD Students Poster Presentations 3

• Students presenting their “AI+” research projects to Prof. Cheung King-ho, Executive Associate Dean of Graduate School, and more guests

 

In his opening remarks, Prof. Cheung King-ho, Executive Associate Dean of the Graduate School, highlighted the IAB’s progress since 2022: “We've created a platform that enhances research training and interdisciplinary collaboration. This year marks the first time students from IAB institutions are presenting through both posters and oral competitions—testifying to their dedication while providing valuable peer engagement.” Prof. Cheung also invited students and guests to embrace curiosity and collaboration during the session, noting that it was a wonderful opportunity to share knowledge, inspire one another, and build connections that could lead to exciting discoveries.

During the poster session, participants actively explored the displays and exchanged ideas, fostering collaboration within the international academic community. Seven outstanding students then delivered oral presentations and competed for the Best Presentation Award:

Title

Name

School

Mr. 

Roberto Dario Sesia

Imperial College London

Mr. 

Asefa Adimasu Taddese

Hong Kong Baptist University

Mr. 

Benquan Wang

Nanyang Technological University

Mr. 

Xin Xiong

Hong Kong Baptist University

Ms. 

Jingwen Xu

Hong Kong Baptist University

Ms. 

Ningyu Xu

Fudan University

Mr. 

Jingwei Zhao

National University of Singapore

 

PhD Students Oral Competition 1 PhD Students Oral Competition 2 PhD Students Oral Competition 3 PhD Students Oral Competition 4

   • Students delivering oral presentations and competing for the Best Presentation Award

 

After a vigorous competition, Mr. Benquan Wang was awarded the Best Presentation Award for his project, “OpticalNet: AI-driven Optical Imaging beyond the Diffraction Limit.” His work integrates AI with optical microscopy, bridging machine learning and physics to advance subwavelength phenomena understanding. The day concluded with an awards ceremony, where Prof. Alex Wai, HKBU’s President and Vice-Chancellor, and Prof. Lyu Aiping, Vice-President (Research and Development) cum Dean of the Graduate School, presented Mr. Wang with his prize, along with participation awards for all oral presenters.

 

Prize Presentation 1 Prize Presentation 2

• Prof. Alex Wai, HKBU’s President and Vice-Chancellor, and Prof. Lyu Aiping, Vice-President (Research and Development) cum Dean of the Graduate School, presenting Mr. Benquan Wang with the Best Presentation Award, and all oral presenters with participation awards


In his closing speech, Prof. Lyu emphasised, “These two days have illuminated the world-reshaping potential of AI through insightful presentations and discussions. More importantly, they have celebrated our collective commitment to forging transformative collaborations. These interactions are at the heart of what makes events like this so impactful. With a shared desire to drive meaningful innovations and solutions, let us continue to nurture these connections and deepen our partnerships.”

 

Group Photo 

• All student presenters posing for group photos with Prof. Alex Wai and Prof. Lyu Aiping to conclude the competition