HONG KONG, March 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Jointly organized by the International Alliance of Academicians (IAA) and the Hong Kong Association of Overseas-Returned Scholars (HKAORS), the 2026 International Academicians Hong Kong Forum will take place on 14 April at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong. The Forum has received strong support from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, as well as the local innovation, technology, and education sectors. As a major annual event of the IAA, the Forum is funded by the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) and has been included as a key programme of Hong Kong's Business of Innovation and Technology Week (BIT Week) 2026.
The Forum aims to establish an international academic dialogue platform that transcends disciplines and borders, bringing together the world's foremost research minds to focus on the innovative application of artificial intelligence in health and higher education. It also seeks to attract high-calibre academic resources and collaboration opportunities to Hong Kong's innovation and technology sector, contributing forward-looking "Hong Kong Solutions" to global challenges such as population aging and educational transformation.
With the rapid global technological and industrial transformation, Hong Kong has reached a new level of integration into and support for the nation's overall development. The city is now fully advancing its inaugural five-year development plan, with "AI+" designated as one of its core strategic directions. Closely aligned with the evolving technological, economic, and social landscape, this year's Forum takes AI empowerment as its central theme, featuring multiple cutting-edge topics that address pressing issues such as ageing societies, chronic disease management, and innovation in higher education transformation. Through in-depth international exchange, the Forum seeks to explore new possibilities for integrating technology with society.
The Forum is honoured to receive significant recognition from the HKSAR Government. Mr. John Lee, Chief Executive of the HKSAR, will deliver the opening address via video message, and Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, will grace the occasion with his presence and share remarks. This high-level engagement underscores the HKSAR Government's steadfast support for the advancement of artificial intelligence and international academic exchange, and highlights the important role of this Forum in driving Hong Kong's innovation and technology development.
Focusing on Two Key AI Themes, Gathering Global Academic Authorities
The Forum boasts an impressive lineup of distinguished speakers, including Fields Medalist Professor Shing-Tung Yau, alongside over a dozen globally renowned academicians and experts from the fields of medicine, artificial intelligence, and higher education. Presidents, vice-presidents, and leading scholars from local universities will also join the dialogue, contributing to discussions at cutting-edge development.
Centred on two critical domains concerning "human freedom and development" in the age of AI—health and education, the Forum features two core sessions: "Ageing and Chronic Disease Management: Challenges and Innovations" and "AI and Innovation in Higher Education." These sessions will be chaired by Professor Chak-sing LAU, Dean of Medicine of The University of Hong Kong; Professor Yike GUO, Provost of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology; and Professor Peng GONG, Vice-President (Academic Development) of The University of Hong Kong. Together, they will lead participants in exploring future directions and practical pathways.
Promoting Academic Exchange and Facilitating the Translation of Research Outcomes
Through plenary lectures, roundtable discussions, keynote speeches, and interactive dialogues, the Forum aims to foster an open and in-depth atmosphere for exchange. As part of the Business of Innovation and Technology Week (BIT Week) 2026, the Forum aspires to facilitate discussions that not only spark intellectual collisions but also drive the translation of academic achievements from research into application, thereby injecting sustained momentum into Hong Kong's innovation and technology ecosystem.
As a flagship annual event of the IAA, this Forum will further strengthen Hong Kong's role as a bridge connecting the global scientific community, consolidate its status as an international academic hub, and provide powerful impetus for the development of Hong Kong as an international innovation and technology centre.
About the International Alliance of Academicians (IAA)
The International Alliance of Academicians was initiated by leading figures in Hong Kong's scientific community. Its Founding Chair is Professor Nancy Y. IP, President of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. The Co-Chairs include Professor Pierre-Louis LIONS, Fields Medalist (1994); Professor Xiang ZHANG, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Hong Kong; and Sir Christopher PISSARIDES, Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences (2010). The Alliance is dedicated to connecting top-tier transdisciplinary and cross-regional scientists and innovation talents, promoting international research collaboration, academic exchange, and knowledge transfer. Through high-level forums and events, it fosters deep partnerships between local research and educational institutions and the global innovation and technology network.
We cordially invite professionals and enthusiasts from all sectors to join this distinguished gathering, engage with academicians and leading scholars from around the world, and explore the frontiers of knowledge and innovation together.
For details, please visit the official website: https://iaaforum.com/2026-forum-2/
Disclaimer:
Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material/event (or by members of the project team) do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Innovation and Technology Commission or the General Support Programme Vetting Committee of the Innovation and Technology Fund.
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2026 International Academicians Hong Kong Forum to be Held on April 14: Gathering Global Wisdom to Chart a New Blueprint for AI-Empowered Health and Higher Education
Propel Investment in Chinese Tech Startups, Support Their Global Expansion, and Accelerate Smart City, Sustainability and AI Innovation
BEIJING and HONG KONG, March 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- MTR Lab Company Limited ("MTR Lab", a wholly owned subsidiary of MTR Corporation) and Beijing Zhongguancun Science City Innovation Development Co., Ltd. ("ZGC Science City Ltd") are forming an ecosystem partnership. Focusing on smart city and sustainable development, the collaboration will accelerate the investments in and global expansion of frontier tech enterprises across AI, robotics, smart mobility, rail, retail, property and construction. This cross‑border partnership between Hong Kong and Beijing leverages the strengths of both ecosystems to accelerate the deep integration of technological and industrial innovation, aligning with the national development strategy of "new quality productive forces (新質生產力)."
Chinese Mainland's innovation ecosystem has surged in recent times with rapid advances in AI and related technologies, powering a major acceleration in smart city and sustainability development. According to the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, as of September 2025, there were 5,300+ AI companies in the Chinese Mainland, accounting for around 15% of the global total. Beijing's Haidian District, the AI innovation hub of China, is home to over 35% of China's AI companies, with a significant concentration of "specialised and sophisticated (專精特新)" enterprises and unicorns. These emerging trends align closely with MTR Lab's strategic investments in smart‑city and sustainable development. Last year, MTR Lab received nearly double the number of investment proposals and opportunities in AI and robotics compared with 2024. Among them, proposals originated from the Chinese Mainland accounted for more than 30%.
As a core element of the partnership, while continuing to deepen the integration of innovation resources, ZGC Science City Ltd will invite industry leader MTR Lab into its innovation ecosystem and refer MTR Lab to high‑potential startups in AI, smart city and sustainable development for prospective investment and collaboration. Through MTR Lab's extensive global innovation network, the two parties will jointly explore pilot application opportunities, technology implementation and cross‑border expansion, supporting Chinese startups in accessing broader global markets.
Deepening innovation ecosystem partnerships, Uniting to "Go Global"
As an international I&T investor, MTR Lab creates strategic value through investments and ecosystem partnerships. Following its collaboration with TusStar, the partnership with ZGC Science City Ltd marks another strategic step in deepening MTR Lab's global collaborative exchange and strengthens MTR Lab's innovation network in the Chinese Mainland.
Haidian District, the core area of Beijing's International Science and Technology Innovation Center, fosters high‑quality technological and industrial development and hosts over 2,950 specialised and sophisticated enterprises and 49 unicorns as of January 2026. Through this partnership, ZGC Science City Ltd will recommend quality startups to MTR Lab. By leveraging MTR Lab's extensive experience in the overseas startup market and the complementary resources of its collaborative platform, both parties will drive cross-border collaboration and explore potential co‑investment opportunities, connecting more Chinese tech startups with global capital and overseas market resources.
"As a global strategic I&T investor and collaborative platform, MTR Lab has been partnering with innovators worldwide to drive next‑generation technologies," said Jing Shi, Head of Investment of MTR Lab. "Our investment portfolio spans Hong Kong, Chinese Mainland and developed markets. We strategically help Chinese innovators expand overseas, with examples such as acoustic AI monitoring leader Ensonic and AI‑powered retail tech company Whale. ZGC Science City Ltd 's rich ecosystem of R&D institutions, incubators and innovative enterprises will help us connect with more high‑tech, high‑potential startups and further strengthen our investment network in the Chinese Mainland. We look forward to combining our strengths to help tech startups land in Hong Kong and scale internationally, also to deepen collaboration between Beijing and Hong Kong."
"Haidian District is at the core of Beijing's International Science and Technology Innovation Center and is committed to driving the integration of technological innovation and industrial development. We nurture tech enterprises through an international cooperation ecosystem that helps companies 'go global' and expand into new markets," said Mary Huang, Ecosystem Partnership Division Deputy Division Manager of ZGC Science City Ltd. "AI is a key engine for sustainable development. As of December 2025, Haidian District is home to more than 1,900 AI companies, including 26 unicorns, accounting for about 70% of Beijing's total. Under the 15th five-year plan, ZGC Science City Ltd will prioritise advancing broad AI adoption across traditional industries, deepening innovation ecosystem development, and driving high‑quality growth of Haidian District. We look forward to leveraging MTR Lab's global network and extensive international market experience to help Chinese tech enterprises access overseas opportunities and pilot application scenarios, strengthen the broader industry ecosystem, and support their global expansion and business growth."
Through this partnership, MTR Lab and ZGC Science City Ltd will focus on exploring investment and collaboration opportunities in smart city and sustainable development, identifying more high‑potential tech startups from the Chinese Mainland, attracting global capital for high-quality technology brands and supporting their internation expansion. MTR Lab will officially join the Z Hub scenario acceleration platform of ZGC Science City Ltd to deepen its presence in the Chinese Mainland, and work with innovation partners to build carbon‑neutral smart communities and co-create a smarter, greener future.
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ABOUT MTR LAB
MTR Lab Company Limited ("MTR Lab") is a wholly owned subsidiary of MTR Corporation Limited. MTR Lab creates strategic value through investment in technologies and formulates innovative solutions that support the long-term growth of communities. With a commitment to co-creating a smarter, greener future, MTR Lab aims to benefit communities by investing in and introducing technologies across different sectors, including mobility (MaaS, new mobility modes, rail tech), new retail technology, property and construction technology, and financial and data services, driving positive impact within two overarching themes: smart city and sustainability. Its unique position as an innovation investor enables MTR Lab and its partners to strategically collaborate toward creating a carbon-neutral smart community. Together, let's Keep Cities Moving!
ABOUT BEIJING ZGC SCIENCE CITY INNOVATION DEVELOPMENT CO., LTD
Beijing ZGC Science City Innovation Development Co., Ltd., established in May 2019, is a technology investment and sector services platform driven by ecosystem development, dedicated to supporting the construction of a world-leading science and technology park. The company operates through five core business divisions: sector services, ecosystem partnerships, technology investment, property operations, and international collaboration.
The company has established a comprehensive service system that covers the full lifecycle of technology enterprises across all elements, value chains, and operational scenarios. This promotes deep integration of technological innovation and industrial development in Haidian District, striving to create a hub for New Quality Productive Forces and supporting the development of world-leading science and technology park.
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MTR Lab and ZGC Science City Ltd Establish Ecosystem Partnership
