Professor Song Gao, President of Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU) attended the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) Asia Universities Summit to address the critical intersection of higher education and urban innovation.
Held from April 22 to 24 at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, the summit brought together approximately 600 representatives from over 200 institutions to discuss the rising influence of Asian innovation on the global stage.
Leadership Meeting for Presidents
Shaping the Next Generation of Cities
During the leadership meeting for Presidents titled “Shaping the Next-Generation Cities: Experiences from Greater China and South Korea,” President Gao shared insights and joined global higher education leaders in discussing the collaborative evolution of universities and urban development. He emphasized that universities must adopt diversified strategies to support urban development, tailored to the unique characteristics and developmental stages of different cities.
Highlighting SYSU’s deep integration into the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, President Gao detailed how the university leverages artificial intelligence to transform urban governance, promotes urban-rural integration through cultural tourism, and drives regional collaboration via the fusion of science and education. He also reaffirmed the university’s commitment to partnering with global institutions to advance theoretical and practical innovations in the coordinated development of universities and cities.
This session facilitated robust discussions among university leaders from China and South Korea, yielding fruitful consensus on higher education, urban development, and innovation ecosystems.
Expanding Global Partnerships with UAEU
On the sidelines of the summit, President Gao met thedelegation led by Acting Vice Chancellor Ahmed Ali Alraeesi of the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU). The two leaders reviewed their recent collaborative achievements and reached a broad consensus on deepening future cooperation.
Moving forward, SYSU and UAEU will focus on enhancing academic exchanges, joint research, and talent cultivation in pivotal fields including medicine, artificial intelligence, water resources, and economics, aiming to elevate their bilateral partnership to new heights.
UAEU Acting Vice Chancellor Ahmed Ali Alraeesi presents a souvenir to SYSU President Song Gao
The 2026 THE Asia Universities Summit featured a prominent cohort of international institutions, including Nanyang Technological University, the University of Sydney, and the University of Bristol, alongside leading Chinese peers like the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, etc.
As a UK-based authority on higher education, Times Higher Education is globally recognized for its influential rankings, which remain a benchmark for academic excellence worldwide.
