Lingnan Postgraduate Summer School Sends 18 Top Students to Oxford for AI-Driven Interdisciplinary Training

The School of Graduate Studies (GS) at Lingnan University launched the Postgraduate Summer School 2026. This year's programme focuses on interdisciplinary methodological approaches, including the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and innovative mixed method designs. Lingnan is providing scholarship for each of the 18 outstanding postgraduate students, which includes sending them to the University of Oxford for an intensive UK session to further expand their horizons.

This prestigious annual flagship event has been co-organised with Hertford College, University of Oxford, since 2018. It serves as a platform for advancing postgraduate students' international exposure, global research collaboration, and cross-cultural learning. This year, over 260 students from Lingnan University and other local and overseas institutions participated in the Hong Kong SAR session, held from 24 to 26 June in a hybrid format (online and in-person).

In his welcoming remarks at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong SAR session, Prof Sam Kwong Tak-wu, Associate Vice-President (Strategic Research), J.K. Lee Chair Professor of Computational Intelligence and Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, explained how global exposure and technology empower future scholars. "For today's postgraduate students, AI serves as a critical research catalyst to accelerate data analysis and drive interdisciplinary breakthroughs. By organising this global exchange and supporting our students, Lingnan ensures young talents can master advanced tools without financial barriers. Students get a strategic opportunity to improve their understanding of research ethics and AI capabilities, educating them to handle the complexities of the digital age."

The School of Graduate Studies at Lingnan University hosts the opening ceremony of the Postgraduate Summer School 2026, which focuses on AI and interdisciplinary global research.

Prof Sam Kwong Tak-wu, Associate Vice-President (Strategic Research), J.K. Lee Chair Professor of Computational Intelligence and Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, delivers the welcome remarks.

The Hong Kong SAR session of the summer school involved several interactive workshops led by renowned scholars invited from Australia, Germany, the Hong Kong SAR, Switzerland, and the UK. The workshops were led by Prof Kingsley Agho from Western Sydney University, Australia; Prof Alessio D'Angelo from the University of Derby, UK; Prof Tinashe Dune from Charles Darwin University, Australia; Prof Tobia Fattore from the University of Fribourg, Switzerland; Prof Susann Fegter from the Technical University Berlin, Germany; Prof Gleb Papyshev from the Department of Government and International Affairs (GOV) and Division of Artificial Intelligence of the School of Data Science (SDS), and Ms Angel Fan Yim-hung from the Centre for English and Additional Languages (CEAL) at Lingnan University. The topics spanned advanced research methodologies, academic communication, technologically-driven research and interdisciplinary research skills.

The programme features several international scholars who will lead innovative research workshops on methodologies and technological integration.

For instance, a workshop titled "Understanding the Role of Large Language Models in Interdisciplinary Research", led by Prof Gleb Papyshev, Assistant Professor of the Department of Government and International Affairs and Division of Artificial Intelligence of Lingnan University, taught students on how Large Language Models (LLMs) can be applied in social science research to simulate human behaviour, generate synthetic data, and address issues such as bias and research ethics. The UK Session expanded on this workshop by offering additional training on how advanced technologies and creative thinking are shaping the future of research and education, with specific topics on "AI in Healthcare" and "AI in the Classroom". The programme also served as an opportunity for peer exchange on research practices across different universities and for identifying ways to develop new research clusters that promote cross-border collaboration and international publications.

Upon completion of the Hong Kong SAR session of the summer school, 18 outstanding postgraduate students who received scholarship from Lingnan University participated in the UK session of the summer school at the University of Oxford from 28 June to 12 July 2026.

Zhou Ying, a student from the Master of Science in Health Analytics and Management programme offered by the GS and a participant in the UK Session, said "Experiencing Oxford's world-class academic environment and rich cultural heritage is an invaluable opportunity made possible by the University's subsidy. It allows me to make friends from diverse backgrounds and broaden my horizons. Beyond my own academic training, I look forward to getting to know peers and scholars from different disciplines, and exchanging perspectives on healthcare, technology, education, and social issues. I believe this interdisciplinary exposure will inspire valuable new ways of thinking in both my academic growth and future professional development."

Zhou Ying, a student from the Master of Science in Health Analytics and Management, offered by the GS, looks forward to seizing this rare opportunity to explore advanced AI applications and pursue academic growth at Oxford.

Indeed, through this long-standing partnership, the Postgraduate Summer School continues to foster meaningful academic exchange and strengthen Lingnan's involvement in the global research community. To learn more about the Postgraduate Summer School 2026, please visit: Postgraduate Summer School 2026 | School of Graduate Studies

Hong Kong’s universities have once again demonstrated academic strength on the international stage. The latest 2026 ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects shows that at least 90 subjects across Hong Kong’s universities have entered the global top 50, with 21 subjects ranking among the world’s top 10. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) claimed the top spot globally in two subjects: Transportation Science & Technology and Hospitality & Tourism Management. The University of Hong Kong (HKU), The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK), and The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) all made it into the global top 10 for Education, underscoring the city’s overall strength in the field.

The University of Hong Kong, Photo source: reference image

HKU’s Education subject ranked second globally in this year’s ranking, its highest-ever position, while retaining its place as the top in Asia. Professor Yang Rui, Dean of the Faculty of Education at HKU, expressed his delight at the achievement. He noted that it fully reflects the collective efforts of faculty members in conducting high-level research and publishing in leading international academic journals, as well as the Faculty’s close partnerships with research collaborators worldwide, which continue to expand the reach and impact of its work. “I am deeply grateful to our Faculty members for their commitment to advancing educational knowledge and promoting the exchange and application of these outcomes worldwide,” he said.

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Photo source: reference image

PolyU delivered the most outstanding performance in this ranking, with 23 subjects entering the global top 50, the highest number among all Hong Kong institutions. Six of its subjects ranked in the global top 10. In addition to the two subjects that topped the world, these include Management (global 2nd), Civil Engineering (global 3rd), Energy Science & Engineering (global 4th), and Mechanical Engineering (global 10th), spanning multiple traditional strengths in engineering and management.

The City University of Hong Kong, Photo source: reference image

City University of Hong Kong (CityU) had 44 subjects ranked this year, two more than last year. Twenty-two subjects entered the global top 50, with four subjects- Library & Information Science, Metallurgical Engineering, Energy Science & Engineering, and Public Administration- making it into the global top 10. Furthermore, CityU ranked first in Hong Kong in 10 subjects, including Library & Information Science, Business Administration, and Veterinary Sciences, leading other local institutions in multiple areas.

The Lingnan University, Photo source: reference image

Lingnan University had eight subjects ranked this year, a nearly twofold increase from three last year. Five subjects, including Computer Science & Engineering and Electrical & Electronic Engineering, appeared on the list for the first time. Its Artificial Intelligence subject, newly listed last year, jumped dramatically in the rankings and entered the global top 100 for the first time, placing in the 76–100 band. Professor Qin Si Zhao, President of Lingnan University, said the results reflect growing international recognition of the University’s academic and research work. “Lingnan will review the ranking results and their assessment indicators, using them as a reference to further consolidate our ‘Liberal Arts + Technology’ development direction,” he said.

Photo source: shanghairanking.com

The ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects is released by ShanghaiRanking, a higher education evaluation agency. It covers 57 subjects across five major fields: Natural Sciences, Engineering, Life Sciences, Medical Sciences, and Social Sciences. The ranking uses international academic indicators to assess the performance of higher education institutions worldwide in each subject, evaluating five categories: World-Class Faculty, World-Class Research Output, High-Quality Research, Research Impact, and International Collaboration. This year’s ranking assessed over 3,000 universities globally, with more than 2,000 institutions from about 96 countries and regions appearing on the lists.