EdUHK President Joins World Governments Summit in Dubai to Advance Future of Education Dialogue
Professor John Lee Chi-Kin, President of The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK), took part in the World Governments Summit (WGS) 2026 in Dubai, joining global leaders, ministers, and university heads to discuss the future of education, artificial intelligence, and the evolving role of universities in economic and social development.
Professor Lee attended the summit at the invitation of H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, and H.E. Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh, Cultural Adviser to the UAE President and Chancellor of the United Arab Emirates University. The summit was held from February 3 to 5 under the theme “Shaping Future Governments.”
Widely regarded as one of the most influential intergovernmental gatherings, this year’s summit brought together more than 6,000 participants from over 150 countries and regions, including heads of state, ministerial officials, global corporate leaders, and representatives from major international and academic institutions such as the IMF and OECD.
Professor Lee contributed to three high-level platforms: the Global Universities Roundtable, the Future of Education Forum, and the High-Level Economic Dialogue, highlighting EdUHK’s growing role in international education governance, innovation, and cross-border collaboration.
At the Global Universities Roundtable, leaders from institutions including Stanford University, McGill University, United Arab Emirates University, and HKUST examined how universities can respond to rapid global change. Discussions focused on social stability, talent as a strategic national asset, innovation-led growth, and AI-era resilience. Professor Lee emphasized EdUHK’s strengths in teacher education, educational innovation, and research translation, linking these capabilities to priorities such as inclusive competitiveness and sustainable development.
During the Future of Education Forum, themed “Who Shapes the Future Classroom?”, Professor Lee joined international education and technology experts to explore AI in learning, personalised education, creativity development, and ethical responsibility. He presented EdUHK’s research on AI-powered teaching tools and teacher professional development, drawing attention to their relevance for countries building AI-enabled education systems.
Professor Lee also participated in a High-Level Economic Retreat alongside senior policymakers including the UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism and the OECD Secretary-General. He stressed that education is a core driver of economic diversification and social transformation, and that universities must act as hubs for interdisciplinary innovation, lifelong learning ecosystems, and global knowledge exchange.
His participation reinforced EdUHK’s international engagement and supported deeper education collaboration between Hong Kong, the UAE, and the wider Middle East, particularly in areas related to future-ready skills, technology integration, and talent development.
