EdUHK Brings Robots, Reskilling and Second Chances to Jakarta

Professor Stephen Chiu Wing-kai, Chair Professor of Sociology in the Department of Social Sciences and Policy Studies, and Dr Bob Sun Fenghua, Assistant Dean (International Engagement) of FLASS, joined EdUHK President Professor John Lee Chi-Kin, Professor Chetwyn Chan Che-hin, Vice President (Research and Development), and other EdUHK colleagues to take part in the Global Sustainable Development Congress (GSDC) 2026 in Jakarta, Indonesia, from 22 to 25 June. The congress, comprising panel discussions, topical talks and an exhibition, was organised by the Times Higher Education (THE).

Bringing together nearly 5,000 higher education leaders, policymakers and sustainability experts, GSDC provided a global platform to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As a track partner for “Education, Gender and Inequality”, EdUHK contributed to key discussions on the future of education and its social impact.

On 23 June, President Professor John Lee delivered a keynote address on reimagining education for a sustainable future. On 24 June, Professor Chetwyn Chan Che-hin, Vice President (Research and Development), moderated a panel discussion featuring Professor Stephen Chiu Wing-kai on the role of lifelong learning in driving educational excellence and societal progress. Dr Michelle Cheng Wing-tung, Assistant Professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, also presented an SDG showcase on experiential learning and sustainable citizenship.

Professor Chiu’s panel covered four themes, beginning with how new models can support inclusive lifelong learning that narrows the gaps between different groups of learners. “Through vocational and community initiatives, such as the setting up of the Institute of Professional and Vocational Education and Lifelong Learning (IPVELL), the University strives to provide accessible vocational training and executive education aligned with labour market needs,” he said. He added that the Elder Academy promotes active ageing, trains tutors to support older learners, and engages in UNESCO-related work on ageing societies.

Professor Chiu went on to highlight the University’s emphasis on Equal Access policy, flexible holistic admissions, and “second chance” pathways for disadvantaged students. He also shared that EdUHK supports students with special educational needs (SEN) through individualised support plans and accessible facilities. The University further undertakes projects and research that promote diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in education.

Under the second theme, Professor Chiu outlined EdUHK’s commitment to responsible innovation through its active role in the Artificial Intelligence Research and Education Alliance (AIREA), which advances globally collaborative and responsible AI education and research. He also described EdUHK’s online and blended learning platforms, including the EdUHK Online Classes Platform (EOCP), supported by interactive tools to improve teaching and learning. Beyond this, EdUHK develops learning analytics and AI feedback systems to strengthen formative assessment and provide more personalised support.

The third theme focused on policy and partnership strategies for workplace learning and reskilling in rapidly changing economies. Professor Chiu shared that workplace learning and reskilling are most effective when treated as a shared social responsibility rather than an individual burden. He argued that, as economic disruption can increase inequality, public policy should support common accountability through sector partnerships, portable credentials, paid training leave and strong social protections.

Professor Chiu believed durable collaboration among employers, educational institutions, unions and community organisations, along with worker input in programme design and training linked to quality jobs, can improve mobility and social cohesion. “In this sense, workplace learning is not merely an economic adjustment mechanism; it is a central institution in shaping equity, opportunity, and the social contract itself,” the professor of sociology told an audience comprising members of the higher education, business leaders and policymakers.

The final theme of the panel discussion centred on evidence-based approaches from Asia and beyond to build equity-focused education systems and achieve measurable social impact. Professor Chiu proposed that universities can generate measurable social impact from lifelong learning by matching programmes to community and workforce needs, co-designing offerings with employers and underrepresented groups and using disaggregated data to track long-term outcomes. He further noted the importance of removing structural barriers, strengthening learner support and upholding ethical AI and data governance, so that lifelong learning becomes embedded in core institutional strategy to sustain mobility.

At the EdUHK booth at the exhibition, Professor Stephen Chiu and Dr Bob Sun answered questions concerning higher education in Hong Kong and shared information on FLASS undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and related research initiatives. Throughout the congress, they also exchanged views with counterparts from other universities and colleges regarding challenges faced by higher education and explored potential collaborations.

Through its academic contributions, student engagement, and international partnerships, EdUHK’s participation in GSDC 2026 showed how quality education and knowledge exchange can support sustainable development worldwide.