Digital Education Week 2026 Kicks Off with International Summit on AI Teaching

Digital Education Week 2026 opens with International Summit on Use of AI in Language Learning and Teaching

The second Digital Education Week is held from today (June 21) until June 27. The first highlight event is the International Summit on the Use of AI in Language Learning and Teaching 2026, co-organised by the Education Bureau (EDB), the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR), and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). The summit seeks to provide a practical platform for teachers, researchers, and other members of the education sector to learn from one another, and share insights regarding the use of AI in language education.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Summit today, the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, said that the event marks the grand unveiling of the Digital Education Week 2026, which would be leveraged to effectively connect experts, scholars and relevant sectors around the world to exchange successful experiences, with a view to establishing an international platform for the sustained advancement of digital education, and showcasing the learning outcomes of Hong Kong students in digital education.

Dr Choi noted that the Blueprint for Digital Education Development in Primary and Secondary Schools (the Blueprint) just announced would serve as a roadmap to provide guidance for schools to promote AI education from primary through secondary school levels. She emphasised that the EDB is driving the comprehensive implementation of "AI for all schools" and "AI for all students" with a view to ensuring our education system aligns with the country's positioning of Hong Kong as an international innovation and technology centre by providing talent support.

The Chairperson of SCOLAR, Dr Anissa Chan, said that SCOLAR has remained steadfast in its mission for the past 30 years to enhance the language proficiency of the people of Hong Kong. Looking ahead, SCOLAR will work in line with the Blueprint to bring together expertise from various sectors to shape a new landscape for language education. She hoped that the Summit would not only mark a new chapter in integrating AI into language learning, but also serve as an important bridge to foster innovation across sectors.

The Vice President (Education) of PolyU, Professor Cao Jiannong, said that the university was honoured to host this landmark Summit in partnership with the EDB and SCOLAR again.

Other guests attending the ceremony included the Under Secretary for Education and Chairperson of the Steering Committee on Strategic Development of Digital Education, Dr Sze Chun-fai; Deputy Secretary for Education Dr Gloria Chan; and the Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council Panel on Education, Mr Dennis Leung.

The four-day Summit, which began today at the PolyU campus, features keynote speeches, an expert panel discussion, paper presentations and teaching demonstrations. It also includes 22 workshops specially designed for local teachers to enhance classroom instruction through practical hands-on experience with various AI-powered tools. For details, please visit: scolarhk.edb.hkedcity.net/en/use_of_ai_summit/use-of-ai-summit-introduction2026.html.

Another highlight event of the Digital Education Week, the Learning and Teaching Expo, will be held from June 25 to 27 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Members of the public are welcome to attend. For details, please visit: ltexpo.org/en/.

For information on digital education, please visit the Digital Education Resource Platform: www.digitaleducation.hk/en/.

The second Digital Education Week is held from today (June 21) until June 27, with the first highlight event being the International Summit on the Use of AI in Language Learning and Teaching 2026. Activities include keynote speeches and an expert panel discussion. Photo shows Professor Mairéad Pratschke delivering a keynote speech at the Summit. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The second Digital Education Week is held from today (June 21) until June 27, with the first highlight event being the International Summit on the Use of AI in Language Learning and Teaching 2026. Photo shows the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin (third left); the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research, Dr Anissa Chan (third right); the Deputy President and Provost of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), Profssor Wong Wing-tak (second right); the Vice President (Education) of PolyU, Professor Cao Jiannong (first right); the Under Secretary for Education and Chairperson of the Steering Committee on Strategic Development of Digital Education, Dr Sze Chun-fai (second left); and Deputy Secretary for Education Dr Gloria Chan (first left), in a group photo at the opening ceremony of the Summit. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The second Digital Education Week is held from today (June 21) until June 27, with the first highlight event being the International Summit on the Use of AI in Language Learning and Teaching 2026. Photo shows the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin (eighth right); the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR), Dr Anissa Chan (seventh right); the Deputy President and Provost of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), Professor Wong Wing-tak (sixth right); the Vice President (Education) of PolyU, Professor Cao Jiannong (fifth right); the Under Secretary for Education and Chairperson of the Steering Committee on Strategic Development of Digital Education, Dr Sze Chun-fai (eighth left); and Deputy Secretary for Education Dr Gloria Chan (seventh left), in a group photo with members of SCOLAR at the opening ceremony of the Summit. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The second Digital Education Week is held from today (June 21) until June 27. Photo shows the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin (centre); the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research, Dr Anissa Chan (third right); the Executive Director of Hong Kong Education City, Dr Tenny Lam (first left); the Deputy President and Provost of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), Professor Wong Wing-tak (second right); the Vice President (Education) of PolyU, Professor Cao Jiannong (first right); the Under Secretary for Education and Chairperson of the Steering Committee on Strategic Development of Digital Education, Dr Sze Chun-fai (third left); and Deputy Secretary for Education Dr Gloria Chan (second left), officiating at the ceremony to signify the official launch of the second Digital Education Week. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The second Digital Education Week is held from today (June 21) until June 27, with the first highlight event being the International Summit on the Use of AI in Language Learning and Teaching 2026. Photo shows the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research, Dr Anissa Chan, speaking at the opening ceremony of the Summit. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The second Digital Education Week is held from today (June 21) until June 27, with the first highlight event being the International Summit on the Use of AI in Language Learning and Teaching 2026. Photo shows the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, delivering a speech at the opening ceremony of the Summit. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing/possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes

Two incoming female passengers were sentenced to three months' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000, and six weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $2,000, respectively, by the Fanling Magistrates Courts today (June 23) for importing or possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted an incoming 43-year-old Chinese female passenger at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point on April 19 and seized 13 800 duty-not-paid cigarettes from her personal baggage, with an estimated market value of about $59,000 and a duty potential of about $46,000. She was subsequently arrested. She was sentenced to three months' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 by the Courts today.

In addition, Customs officers intercepted an incoming 49-year-old local female passenger at the Lo Wu Control Point on May 21 and seized 981 duty-not-paid cigarettes from her personal baggage, with an estimated market value of about $4,000 and a duty potential of about $3,000. She was subsequently arrested and released on bail. Customs officers intercepted the female passenger again at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point on June 6 and seized 1 261 duty-not-paid cigarettes from her personal baggage, with an estimated market value of about $5,000 and a duty potential of about $4,000. She was subsequently arrested and was sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $2,000 by the Courts today.

Customs welcomes the sentences, noting that even a first-time offender may still be imprisoned. The custodial sentences have imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflect the seriousness of the offences. Members of the public should not defy the law.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing/possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing/possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing/possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases