President S. Joe Qin delivers keynote address at Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo, inauguration ceremony

Prof S. Joe Qin, President and Wai Kee Kau Chair Professor of Data Science at Lingnan University, joined over 700 distinguished guests and leaders from academia, industry, and government for the Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo's (EIT) inauguration ceremony.

Later, at the Eastern Institute of Technology Higher Education Forum, President Qin delivered a keynote speech, A Global Research University in the Digital Era, to over 40 senior members of higher education institutions, offering a visionary perspective and exploring the transformation and development of the sector amid the wave of artificial intelligence (AI).

President Qin began by extending warm congratulations on the EIT, and then described Lingnan University's pioneering work as a key case study, presenting the systematic "action plan" adopted by the international research-focused liberal arts university in response to the digital age. His address focused on the disruptive impact of generative AI on higher education, where he noted that AI is not only reshaping how knowledge is acquired and created, but also directly challenging traditional models of cultivating talent. He emphasised that education must remain centred on nurturing the core human qualities that AI cannot replace, specifically the development of students' critical thinking and ethical judgement.

The presentation highlighted authoritative industry data and cutting-edge perspectives, and President Qin pointed out that universities must shift from passive adaptation to active leadership by integrating AI organically and comprehensively across all aspects of curriculum design, and teaching methodologies and research. This approach would foster an "AI mindset" in students, enabling them to use AI both creatively and critically to solve complex problems, and to clarify their leading role within human-machine collaborative environments, reducing the risk of their being rendered obsolete by technology.

The President’s speech resonated widely with attendees as his ideas not only demonstrated Lingnan University’s strategic approach to education in the digital era, but also offered valuable insights into the broader digital transformation of universities, underscoring the importance for higher education to uphold its major mission of developing talent.

Other keynote speakers included Prof Lin Jianhua, former President of Peking University; Prof Shi Yigong, President of Westlake University; Prof Mao Junfa, President of Shenzhen University; Prof Gu Sai, Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Warwick; Prof Jasper Knoester, Pro-Rector of Leiden University; and Prof Leo Liu Mian, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) of the University of Technology Sydney, as well as leading educators from China and all over the world.