Inspiration from students’ voices

Students from the eight UGC-funded universities, representing eight different countries and regions, share their academic journeys of studying in Hong Kong.

One of the major highlights of the APAIE 2026 Conference and Exhibition was the Student Plenary, themed ‘Global Perspectives on Student Success in Hong Kong’, held on 25 February. Co‑chaired by CUHK Pro‑Vice‑Chancellor (Education) Prof. Irwin King and Dr. Albert Chau, Vice‑President (Teaching and Learning) of Hong Kong Baptist University, the session drew an impressive audience of around 500 delegates, reflecting strong interest in the voices and experiences of Hong Kong’s student community.

The Student Plenary featured both international and local students who have thrived in Hong Kong. Representing each of the eight University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities in Hong Kong, the participants contributed a rich mix of diverse cultural and global perspectives to the discussion. The student speakers hailed from Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, Indonesia, India, France, Mexico, Spain and Russia.

CUHK was represented by Shiven Garg, a PhD engineering student from India, who shared how industry links have accelerated his research: ‘CUHK has been instrumental in connecting me with top robotics manufacturers across the Chinese Mainland, such as Unitree. Being based in Hong Kong gives me direct access to the latest innovations, from alpha prototypes to manufacturing partners, so my team can secure advanced platforms from the mainland and focus on integrating AI on top. I travel to innovation hubs like Hangzhou for meetings, and those connections are already shaping my PhD work. To make the most of this journey, spending time on the ground in the Chinese Mainland is essential, and Hong Kong provides convenient access for that.’

Shiven shares his experiences of studying in Hong Kong.

Through exchanges and personal reflections on themes such as life in Hong Kong, university learning experiences, and future aspirations, the Student Plenary showcased the richness of student journeys and the many opportunities available across Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.