Rector Jun Liu attends THE World Academic Summit, exploring the role of universities as active agents of progress

The 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) World Academic Summit was held from October 7 to 9 at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia. This year’s theme was “Universities as agents of progress”. The summit brought together leaders from the global academic and industry sectors to explore the role of universities as active agents of progress and change.

Professor Jun Liu, Rector of City University of Macau (CityU), represented Macao’s higher education institutions at the President’s Forum, discussing “Universities on the brink: Rethinking leadership, talent, and global purpose in an age of disruption”. He engaged in discussions with leaders from top universities, addressing the opportunities and challenges facing higher education today. Additionally, Rector Liu was invited to be a speaker, sharing insights on how universities can enhance regional influence and drive innovation through knowledge, talent, and culture.

During the roundtable, Rector Liu and 35 other university leaders from prestigious institutions such as University College London, King’s College London, the University of Connecticut, and Western University examined leadership in higher education, talent development, and the challenges and opportunities in this new era. They exchanged experiences and discussed the impact of cultural contexts and geopolitical factors on higher education, as well as the role of artificial intelligence in university development. All participants agreed that teaching and nurturing students is the core mission of universities, and their roles are irreplaceable.

Rector Liu also participated in a panel discussion titled “Universities as catalysts for regional innovation: Driving local impact through knowledge, talent and culture”. This session focused on the critical role universities played in promoting regional coordination and global development, as well as their significant contributions to the future of the economy, culture, and society.He highlighted that CityU has established five major disciplinary clusters: data science, fintech, health and wellness, tourism and urban studies, and language and culture, aligning with the government’s “1+4” policy for moderate economic diversification to empower local community development. He mentioned CityU’s newly established Faculty of Health and Wellness last year to better serve the local community and advance the government’s initiative of a healthy Macao, and highlighting that the University also established the Sino-Portugal Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Science of Cultural Heritage Conservation, emphasizing the city’s unique characteristics and enhancing Macao’s role as a platform for cultural exchange between China and Portugal, thus contributing to cultural heritage preservation.

Rector Liu further mentioned that to promote holistic student development and broaden international perspectives, CityU has formed the Global Consortium of Metropolitan Universities (GCMU), moving beyond traditional one-on-one inter-institutional collaborations to introduce more international exchange and learning resources. He stressed that the goal is to cultivate students’ leadership, intercultural communication skills, and professional competencies, preparing them to be future pillars of society.

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During the summit, CityU set up an exhibition booth attracting numerous faculty and students who came to inquire about academic experiences and future development plans. Many students expressed a keen interest in international exchange and academic collaboration. CityU representatives patiently answered their questions and provided information on further education opportunities.

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Rector Jun Liu attends THE World Academic Summit, exploring the role of universities as active agents of progress

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