APAIE 2026 Conference and Exhibition Held Successfully as Hong Kong's Education Sector Attracts Global Talent

Hong Kong, ANTARA/PRNewswire - The Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) Conference and Exhibition 2026 was held in Hong Kong from 23 to 27 February 2026. The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) served as the primary host of the event, while seven other universities funded by the University Grants Committee (UGC) supported as co-hosts. With the support of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR), the UGC, and the Hong Kong Tourism Board, the event attracted more than 3,500 participants and 600 exhibitors from 72 countries and regions, the highest attendance in the conference’s history. Under the theme ‘Asia-Pacific Partnerships for the Global Good’, APAIE 2026 highlights Hong Kong’s role as an international hub for higher education and academic collaboration. CUHK had previously hosted the APAIE Conference in 2013. As one of the world’s largest international education conferences, the 2026 edition provides a platform for universities and educational institutions to strengthen partnerships and explore cooperation opportunities across the Asia-Pacific. According to Professor Dennis Lo Yuk-ming, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK, Hong Kong’s higher education sector has strong research capabilities, world-class facilities, and an increasingly global academic milieu. At the outset of the conference, the HKSAR Government’s Education Bureau also officially launched ‘Study in Hong Kong Week’ to position Hong Kong as a premier study destination for students from around the world. Hong Kong has five universities listed among the world’s top 100 universities, illustrating Hong Kong’s status as one of the highest concentrations of world-class educational institutions globally. Dr. Choi Yuk-lin, the Secretary for Education of the HKSAR Government, said Hong Kong plays the role of a ‘super-connector’ in the global education network, with a highly international and diverse academic environment. ‘For students from around the world, studying in Hong Kong means access to leading universities and the opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills needed for the future,’ Dr. Choi said. Professor Venky Shankararaman, President, APAIE, added that international connectivity, advanced infrastructure, and cultural diversity make Hong Kong an ideal gateway connecting Asia with the world. ‘An open and global environment provides exciting opportunities to develop global talent and to drive innovation through cross-border academic collaboration,’ he said. Professor Shankararaman also emphasised that closer regional cooperation in education, student and faculty exchanges, and stronger research partnerships will help facilitate the flow of knowledge and talent across borders, while also promoting innovation and sustainable development in the region.