Unleashing collaboration: China Higher Education Conference 2024 gathers over 400 scholars, students to discuss Chinese education's future at Lingnan University

Lingnan University successfully hosted the China and Higher Education Conference 2024, a collaborative endeavour with The University of Manchester, The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, and the Asia Pacific Higher Education Research Partnership (APHERP). Themed "Collaboration and Change: Unleashing the Possibilities for Chinese Higher Education Ahead", the event was held on 18 to 19 November 2024, attracting over 400 scholars and students from across the globe, including Finland, Ghana, Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR, Mainland China, Mexico, Norway, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, both in-person and virtually.

The conference commenced with a welcome address by Prof Sam Kwong Tak-wu, Associate Vice-President (Strategic Research), Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, Acting Dean of the School of Data Science, and J.K. Lee Chair Professor of Computational Intelligence at Lingnan University. Prof Kwong underscored the conference's significance in fostering institutional partnerships, particularly since Lingnan University's involvement in 2018, and extended his gratitude to all involved, encouraging active networking and engagement among attendees.

Dr Miguel Antonio Lim, Senior Lecturer in Education from The University of Manchester, delivered the opening speech, echoing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in deepening insights into Chinese higher education. He called for a spirit of cooperation and acknowledged Lingnan University's role in advancing educational quality, research, and international alliances.

The first keynote was presented by Prof Joshua Mok Ka-ho, Provost and Vice President (Academic & Research) from The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong. His presentation, "China’s Approach to Inward Student Mobility since 1949: A Critical Review of the State Role from Historical and Political Economy Perspectives", highlighted the influence of geopolitics on academic endeavors and student mobility, emphasising China's pivotal role in global student mobility and its distinct state-led development model.

Prof Rui Yang, Dean and Chair Professor of the Faculty of Education at the University of Hong Kong, delivered the second keynote, "The West in China’s Theorization of Higher Education", examining the foundations of China's higher education system and the critical role of Chinese culture in comparative studies. Prof Yang emphasised the need for China to develop the analysis of its national higher education system through scholars who are versed in both Eastern and Western discourses of ideology on education.

A panel discussion titled "Youth, Wellbeing and Graduate Employment" was moderated by Dr Miguel Antonio Lim. The panellists included Prof Joshua Mok Ka-ho, an influential voice in higher education, Prof Yuzhuo Cai from Tampere University in Finland, who brought a comparative perspective, Prof Yin Ma from Lanzhou University in China, an expert on the Chinese education system, Prof Youliang Zhang from Beijing University of Technology, known for his work on graduate employability, and Dr Guoguo Ke from The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, who provided valuable insights on youth well-being. Together, they engaged participants in a comprehensive dialogue, shedding light on the complexities of youth well-being and its impact on graduate employment outcomes in China, and considering the broader implications for global higher education.

The conference also featured paper presentation sessions focusing on international collaboration experiences, the roles and influences of international faculty, and support and concerns in the face of change. The second day's keynotes addressed cultural differences in academics' work and the mobilities and immobilities of Chinese doctoral knowledge in international higher education.

In a session titled "Creating a ‘Realistic’ Plan for Publication: Tricks and Traps for Academic Writing", the University of Manchester Team delved into the intricacies of academic writing and publication strategy. The workshop emphasised the critical balance between the quality and quantity of publications, highlighting that a well-crafted publication record can effectively narrate an individual's professional expertise. The presenters advised postgraduate students to strategically weave their PhD research into a cohesive narrative that informs their future publications. The Manchester team was composed of esteemed academics Dr Heather Cockayne, Dr Miguel Antonio Lim, Dr Cheon Yin Chan, Dr Rui He, and Dr Jenna Mittelmeier.

The second panel discussion, "Understanding Doctoral Students' Challenges and Needs in Higher Education", was moderated by Dr Anne Tang and featured substantial input from a panel of renowned experts. The discussion included Prof Ronnel B. King from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prof Lily Zeng Min from The University of Hong Kong, Prof Lucy Baohua Yu from Lingnan University, Prof Eric Yuan Rui from The University of Macau, and Prof Ewan Wright from The Education University of Hong Kong. The panellists explored the significance of nurturing supportive research environments, the integration of international postgraduate students, and the burgeoning role of Hong Kong as a nexus for higher education.

The last keynote speech was delivered by Prof Catherine Montgomery, entitled “Unleashing the Possibilities of Chinese Doctoral Knowledge: Mobilities and Immobilities in International Higher Education”. This presentation explored the complex interplays between physical and metaphorical (im)mobilities of knowledge in a transnational space, which can be explored through a digital repository of doctoral theses in the United Kingdom.

The conference concluded with addresses from Prof Raymond Chan Hong-fu, Vice-President (Academics) cum Provost at Lingnan University. He emphasised the importance of continued collaboration and the exploration of potential partnership beyond Chinese higher education.

Lingnan University continues to lead international initiatives, showcasing its commitment to high-quality research and expert faculty. The conference served as a platform for the academic community to explore the future of Chinese higher education, its challenges, and opportunities.