Presidents’ Dialogue: Building resilience and trust amid global risks

University presidents and senior leaders gather at the Presidents’ Dialogue.

The presence of many distinguished university leaders in Hong Kong during the APAIE Conference and Exhibition presented an exceptional opportunity to bring together thought leadership for meaningful dialogue. The Presidents’ Dialogue convened 70 participants, including 25 university presidents and vice-chancellors and 45 senior higher education leaders, representing 40 universities across 19 countries and regions, spanning Australia, Canada, the Chinese Mainland, Europe, Hong Kong SAR, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and the Asia-Pacific region.

Themed ‘Building Resilience and Trust in an Era of Global Risks’, the Dialogue drew on insights from the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report and addressed pressing challenges faced by higher education institutions worldwide. Through high level, candid exchanges, participants explored strategies to strengthen institutional resilience, foster trust, and navigate uncertainty amid many challenges.

CUHK Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dennis Lo was deeply encouraged by the richness of the exchange. The discussions were insightful and inspiring, offering invaluable perspectives on how higher education can navigate the turbulence of the current time.

Leaders participated in the event shared a sense of optimism about the value of collaboration. Prof. C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice‑Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University in India, noted that APAIE provided a vital opportunity for universities worldwide to connect, emphasising partnership and the mobility of students and faculty as engines of the global good.

The event provides a platform for exchanging insights on building resilience and trust in an era of global risks.

Echoing this view, Prof. Lily Kong, President of Singapore Management University, highlighted the abundance of avenues that international engagement could unlock. She added that APAIE’s gathering of delegates from across the world signalled a strong appetite for collaboration and left her with optimism and hope.

Prof. Helena Ramalhinho, Vice‑Rector for Internationalisation at Pompeu Fabra University in Spain, said that today’s problems could not be solved by a single city or country; for students and researchers alike, understanding global issues made international partnership indispensable.

As higher education continues to evolve, such open and forward‑looking conversations will remain key to fostering a more connected, resilient, and sustainable academic community.

Revisit the address from the World Economic Forum delivered by Mr. Mark Elsner, Head of the Global Risks Initiative: