Leading AI in Education, from Hong Kong to the World:
Marking the Official Launch of the UGC Community of Practice on GenAI
The official launch event for the UGC HKTEA Community of Practice on "Enriching Future-Ready Education with GenAI and Beyond" (UGC AI CoP) took place on 11th March, 2025, at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), marking a significant milestone in the field of AI in education.
The event, organised by Professor Cecilia Chan, Chair of the CoP and Professor of Education and the Teaching and Learning Innovation Centre (TALIC), HKU, drew a remarkable turnout. It received over 400 registrations from a diverse array of participants and guests hailing from all eight UGC-funded institutions in Hong Kong, as well as from private and vocational training institutions, secondary school associations, industry professionals, NGOs, and officials from the Education Bureau. Attendees also joined from universities across the Greater Bay Area, underscoring the regional significance of the initiative.
The UGC AI CoP, initiated by key members from the UGC-funded universities in Hong Kong, is established under the Hong Kong Teaching Excellence Alliance (HKTEA) with the support from the Hong Kong University Grants Committee (UGC). It sets ambitious objectives, including foster a robust network connecting educators, researchers, students, NGOs, and industry partners to promote interdisciplinary collaboration, drive practical applications of AI in education, and position Hong Kong as a global leader in AI education.
Professor Xiang Zhang, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKU, emphasised the crucial role of universities in preparing students for the future in his opening remarks. Professor James Tang, Secretary-General of the UGC, echoed this sentiment in his welcome address, underscoring the value of community practices and commending the initiative taken by the CoP's core members.
A keynote address by Mr. Henry Hooi, Acting Chairman of Digital Domain, highlighted the role of technology in bridging educational gaps and the transformative potential of AI in education. Digital Domain, a leading global visual effects company recognised for its work on major Hollywood films and AI virtual human development, also offered attendees a first-hand look at their AI Virtual Humans during the networking session later in the afternoon.
Professor Cecilia Chan said the CoP's upcoming plans, including workshops, webinars, joint research projects, a dedicated website, a podcast and video series, and a platform for policy discussions. She led a vote with the audience to collectively select the CoP's official logo – a growing tree, representing not only the community's commitment to fostering development and innovation in AI education, but also its own growth going forward.
The launch of the UGC AI CoP signifies a significant stride in positioning Hong Kong as a global leader in AI education. With the shared vision of creating a future-ready education system, leveraging AI, and fostering collaboration across different sectors, the success of this event underscores Hong Kong's growing prominence in the field and its commitment to fostering partnerships not only within the city, but also with institutions in the Greater Bay Area and beyond.
