The Future of Transdisciplinary Education in Postgraduate Studies – 2026 HKBU International Advisory Board for Graduate Studies (IAB) Annual Meeting

The HKBU International Advisory Board (IAB) at a Glance

Established in 2022/23, the HKBU International Advisory Board for Graduate Studies (IAB) comprises 12 members, including 11 leading universities from 6 countries and Microsoft Research Asia. It aims to advance doctoral education, foster collaborative research training opportunities, and promote global best practices in research training. Members of the IAB meet annually at HKBU to share best practices and forge cross-institutional collaborations in doctoral education and research training. The 2026 Annual Meeting, themed “The Future of Transdisciplinary Education in Postgraduate Studies”, took place on 9–10 July 2026. This two-day event served as a dynamic platform for exchanging ideas about the transformative power of transdisciplinary education in reshaping postgraduate studies, academia, and society.

Recognising Our IAB Members and Partner Institutions

We extend our deepest gratitude to our esteemed IAB members whose participation and insights made the opening day a resounding success. Our sincere thanks go to

• Prof Carolin PLEWA & Prof Ivan NAGELKERKEN from Adelaide University
• Prof Robert WEISS from Cornell University
• Prof Josephine NALBANTOGLU from McGill University
• Ms Lily SUN from Microsoft Research Asia (MSRA)
• Prof LI Shuzhou from Nanyang Technological University
• Prof Caroline LEE and Prof Camilo David LIBEDINSKY from National University of Singapore
• Prof Ann EVANS from The Australian National University
• Dr Jo Edmondston from The University of Western Australia
• Prof ZHANG Yifei and Ms WANG Li from University of Science and Technology of China
• Prof LI Fei and Ms LU Qiao from Zhejiang University

Day 1 Keynotes and Panel on The Future of Transdisciplinary Education

On 9 July, the event commenced as HKBU President and Vice-Chancellor Prof. Alex Wai warmly welcomed scholars and leaders of graduate schools from IAB member institutions to the opening day of the 2026 IAB Annual Meeting. Prof. Wai positioned the University with a simple but profound belief that education should develop the wholeperson and serve the common good. He reaffirmed that HKBU stands at the crossroads, as Hong Kong is a city of connection, of bridging ideas, cultures, and opportunities, bringing together local strengths and global perspectives in service of society. The opening remarks from Prof. Lyu Aiping, Vice-President (Research and Development) cum Dean of Graduate School, brought the participants’ attention to the core of the meeting this year: the best ways to cultivate talent for an integrated and transdisciplinary future by aligning the strengths of each IAB member and formulating mutually beneficial collaborations in research and doctoral education.

 

• Left: Prof. Alex Wai, HKBU President and Vice-Chancellor, delivering welcome remarks
• Right: Prof. Lyu Aiping, Vice-President (Research and Development) cum Dean of Graduate School, giving an opening speech

 

The morning forum featured 4 keynote speakers who shared insights on different aspects of the future of graduate studies. Prof Johnny Poon from HKBU stressed on the “human” side when nurturing new generation of academics and advocated the research ecosystem. Prof Li Shuzhou from Nanyang Technological University introduced how AI augments scientific research. Ms. Lily Sun from Microsoft Research Asia highlighted the importance of cultivating AI-Native innovators from training researchers. Prof Carolin Plewa from Adelaide University proposed Transforming Together: Building a Connected Future of Graduate Research Training, sharing challenges and keys to the transformation.

 

• Left: Prof Johnny Poon from HKBU, presenting on “A Humanist Reflection on PhD Training”
• Right: Prof Li Shuzhou from Nanyang Technological University presenting on “AI-augmented Material Discovery”

 

 

• Left: Ms Lily Sun from Microsoft Research Asia presenting on “From Training Researchers to Cultivating AI-Native Innovators—— Rethinking Graduate Research Training in the Age of Human–AI Collaboration”
• Right: Prof Carolin Plewa from Adelaide University presenting on “Transforming Together: Building a Connected Future of Graduate Research Training"

 

Following the keynotes, Prof Michael Ng, Dean of Faculty of Science of HKBU, led a dynamic panel discussion on how transdisciplinary postgraduate education distinguishes from traditional approaches.

 

• Prof Michael Ng (from the right), Dean of Faculty of Science of HKBU, leading a dynamic panel discussion on how transdisciplinary postgraduate education distinguishes from traditional approaches.

 

The forum concluded with a souvenir presentation to all keynote speakers as a token of appreciation, followed by group photos with all panellists and guests.

 

• Left: Prof. Lyu Aiping, presenting souvenirs to the keynote speakers
• Right: All guests posing for group photos to conclude the morning session 

35 HKBU scholars and IAB leaders met to catalyse cross‑disciplinary research:

In the afternoon, Prof. Cheung King-ho, Convener of the IAB and Executive Associate Dean of the Graduate School, led an insightful discussion on potential partnerships. Board members shared best practices and latest developments in postgraduate education at their institutions and actively discussed new initiatives for potential partnerships and collaboration opportunities with 20 HKBU faculty members.

 

• Prof. Cheung King-ho, Convenor of the IAB and Executive Associate Dean of the Graduate School 
 

  

• IAB representatives sharing best practices and latest development of postgraduate education of their institutions and discussed new initiatives for potential partnerships and collaboration opportunities.

 

Students from the leading universities explored HKBU’s latest research facilities, beginning at the Centre for Exercise Science and Medicine, continuing to the CollabTech Commons, and concluding at the Dr. & Mrs. Hung Hin Shiu Museum of Chinese Medicine’s traditional Chinese medicine exhibits. The thoughtful preparation and warm welcome from everyone involved ensured the campus tour were both engaging and memorable.

  

 

Day 2 - Witness the Research Excellence:

Following a series of thought-provoking keynote presentations and discussions on the future of transdisciplinary education in postgraduate studies, the second day (10 July) of the 2026 IAB Annual Meeting explored the research excellence through PhD student poster presentations and oral competitions.

Twenty student researchers from Beijing Normal–Hong Kong Baptist University and HKBU who submitted their presentations under the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) exchanged sparking ideas and showcased their projects through dynamic poster presentations session with fellows and scholars across disciplines. Another 9 PhD students were nominated by the member institutions and HKBU to compete in an oral competition, demonstrating how their projects relate to the prosperity for people and the planet.

 

• Students presenting their projects themed under SDGs to fellows and scholars

 

In his opening remarks, Prof. Cheung King-ho, Executive Associate Dean of the Graduate School, highlighted: “Our student presentations span the full breadth of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. For example, we will hear work on Good Health and Well-Being, Quality Education, and Decent Work and Economic Growth, among others. This focus is close to all of us. It shows our shared commitment to turn ideas into benefits for people and the planet.” Prof. Cheung also invited students and guests to connect across disciplines and institutions, using dialogue—such as questions and feedback—to turn ideas into real solutions for the world.  

• Prof. Cheung King-ho, Executive Associate Dean of Graduate School, giving his opening remarks 

 

After a round of free-flow poster presentations, Ms. GAO Yuekun and Mr. LI Yifan from the School of Business, Ms. KAN Yuxuan and Ms. ZHUANG Min from the School of Chinese Medicine got the highest numbers of vote from the on-site voters and earned themselves the Best Poster Presentation Awards.

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

 

The vigorous oral competition was the morning highlight. Ms. Racchana RAMAMURTHY from McGill University and Mr. LUO Ziyuan from Hong Kong Baptist University won the Best Oral Presentation Awards. 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 Graduate School, presented the winners with the prizes, 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 Graduate School, presenting the Best Oral Presentation Awards, and all presenters with participation awards

In his closing speech, Prof. Lyu expressed his gratitude to the participants, particularly the IAB members, stating: “I want to express how rewarding it has been to spend the last two days with all of you. This meeting has effectively underscored our shared vision: to build bridges across institutions and borders that spark meaningful collaborations.” Prof. Lyu added, "Your dedication to advancing the frontiers of transdisciplinary education and research is the driving force behind our collective progress. Let us maintain the momentum of the dialogues and partnerships we have built here."

 

• Prof. Lyu Aiping, Vice-President (Research and Development) cum Dean of Graduate School, delivered the closing remarks giving a warm conclusion to the annual meeting

 

• Group photo of all the participants

Research Mingle: Impact in Action — Supervisor–Student Dialogue

The Research Office took a step further by hosting “Research Mingle: Impact in Action, Principal Supervisors and PhD students Dialogue”, exploring stories behind the collaboration between Principal Supervisors and their PhD Students. Moderated by Prof. Christy Cheung, Director of the Research Office and Chair Professor in Information Systems and Digital Innovation Management, the panel discussion featured two pairs of Principal Supervisors and PhD students, Prof. Jos Bartels and Mr Mike Zhang, from the School of Communication, and, Prof. Guo Meiyu and Mr Hong Pu, from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, sharing how they work together as mentors and mentees to turn ideas into impactful research outcomes.

• From left to right, Prof. Christy Cheung, Director of the Research Office and Chair Professor in Information Systems and Digital Innovation Management, Prof. Jos Bartels and Mr Mike Zhang, from the School of Communication, and, Prof. Guo Meiyu and Mr Hong Pu, from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Hong Kong’s Chinese Medicine Hospital: insights and innovations

After the Research Mingle, representatives of the IAB member institutions visited The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong (CMHHK), where HKBU incorporated the HKBU Chinese Medicine Hospital Company Limited as the Operator to manage, operate and maintain the hospital. CMHHK is the first dedicated Chinese medicine hospital in the city, integrating healthcare, research, and education, with the vision to enhance community well-being by making Chinese medicine more accessible and fostering a deeper understanding of its practices through education, innovation, and collaboration. The visit brought a splendid conclusion to the 2-day annual event. 

• Representatives of the IAB member institutions visiting The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong (CMHHK), a splendid conclusion to the 2-day annual event