EdUHK Holds International Postgraduate Conference and Research Forum 2026

The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) hosted the International Postgraduate Conference and Research Forum (IPCRF) 2026 from 28 to 31 July at its Tai Po campus. Under the theme ‘Resilience and Adaptability: Preparing Global Citizens for Sustainable Development’, the conference provided an interdisciplinary platform spanning artificial intelligence (AI), education, health sciences, linguistics, and psychology. Over 400 postgraduate students, alumni, and distinguished scholars from 30 countries and regions gathered to share cutting-edge research and foster academic exchange.  

In his video opening address, EdUHK President Professor John Lee Chi-Kin noted that 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of EdUHK’s retitling, during which the University has achieved remarkable success in international rankings, reflecting its growing academic strength and global influence. He encouraged postgraduates to seize this valuable opportunity to engage deeply with peers and scholars worldwide, broaden interdisciplinary perspectives, and build lasting international research networks. 

Professor Chetwyn Chan Che-hin, Vice President (Research and Development), extended a warm welcome to all participants. He remarked, “EdUHK has long been committed to academic excellence and innovative research. The theme of this year’s forum carries both contemporary significance and practical value. International gatherings such as this create opportunities for dialogue among researchers from diverse backgrounds, fostering collaboration to address the shared challenges facing humanity.” 

The conference featured nine internationally renowned keynote speakers, who offered insights on topics including AI, education, linguistics, psychology, health, resilience and wellbeing (see the table below for details). Complementing the keynote addresses were a range of activities, including panel roundtables with keynote speakers and alumni, student research presentations, cultural activities, open-house poster exhibitions, and an information session for master’s students on doctoral study pathways.

To recognise outstanding academic achievements, 11 young scholars received the Outstanding Paper Award, affirming their research potential and encouraging them to pursue rigorous, high impact scholarship. 

For more information, please visit the official forum website: https://ipcrf.com/

Keynote Speakers and Topics (in speech order)

Keynote speakers	Topics
Professor Aiman Erbad, Vice President of Research and Graduate Studies and Professor of Computer Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Qatar University, Qatar	Graduate Education in the Age of AI: Research and Innovation at the Crossroad
Professor Andrew Edwards, Associate Head of Department of Health and Physical Education, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China	Why Exercise Sometimes Feels Long: Time Perception, Fatigue, and the Future of Exercise Experience
Dr Balázs Venkovits, Associate Professor and Director of Institute of English and American Studies, North American Department, University of Debrecen, Hungary	Restructuring Global Migration Trajectories: From Restrictions to New Diasporas and Heritage Preservation
Professor Lourdes Ortega, Department of Linguistics at Georgetown University, United States	Flourishing in Many Tongues: Multilingualism and Well-Being
Professor Naubahar Sharif, Head of Department of Social Sciences and Policy Studies, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China	From Individual Resilience to Institutional Belonging: Rethinking Mental Health in Higher Education
Professor Parco Siu Ming-fai, Division Head of Division of Kinesiology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China	How can exercise habits be more sustainable for public health promotion?
Professor Indika Mahesh Karunathilake, Vice-Chancellor and Professor of Medical Education, Department of Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka	Application of AI in Resource-constrained Settings
Professor Michalinos Zembylas, Educational Theory and Curriculum Studies, Faculty of Economics and Management, Open University of Cyprus, Cyprus	Rethinking Resilience: Affective Climate Injustice and the Education of Global Citizens
Professor Mette Hjort, Adjunct Research Chair Professor of Film and Media Studies, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China	Beyond Entertainment Value: Film as a Source of Wellbeing and Human Flourishing