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-eight 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

 

 

• 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
Mr.	Jingwen Xu	Hong Kong Baptist University
Ms.	Ningyu Xu	Fudan University
Mr.	Jingwei Zhao	National University of Singapore

 

   • 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.

 

 

• 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.”

 

 

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