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

Lingnan University has always actively supported the holistic development of local athletes. This year, the University has admitted seven elite athletes, a record intake, through the Student-Athlete Learning Support and Admission Scheme (SALSA Scheme). They include four cyclists, Ma Yik-sin, Ma Yik-fei, Kwok Chun-yan, and Siu Ka-chun; triathlete Lam Lok-shi; tenpin bowler Amen Yuen Cheuk-hin; and high jumper Hui Chi-man. All seven will enrol in undergraduate programmes for the 2026/27 academic year: five of them will pursue the Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Sports Coaching and Event Management programme, while Lam will study Psychology, and Hui will study Philosophy.

Five of the seven elite student-athletes enrolled for the 2026/27 academic year. Front row from left: Siu Ka-chun, Hui Chi-man, Ma Yik-sin; back row from left: Ma Yik-fei, Kwok Chun-yan. Photo source: Lingnan University

Prof Raymond Chan Hon-fu, Vice-President (Academics) cum Provost and Lam Man Tsan Chair Professor of Scientific Computing, welcomed the seven elite athletes to the Lingnan family, emphasising that the University will provide comprehensive learning support to help them cultivate diverse interests outside sport, so that they can balance their development in both academic and athletic areas.

He said, “Lingnan University is determined to attract outstanding talents from diverse backgrounds in order to foster a mutually enriching learning environment, and elite athletes are vital partners in driving knowledge innovation. The firsthand experience they gain from advanced training and international competitions provides a valuable empirical foundation for our teaching and research. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, Lingnan aims to integrate athletes’ practical experiences in training, competition, and psychological adjustment with academic research, addressing industry needs and sparking innovation in sports coaching, sports psychology, and mega-event management, ultimately contributing to the Hong Kong SAR’s development as a centre for major sports events.”

Star tennis athlete Cody Wong (left), who enrolled at Lingnan University in the 2023/24 academic year, partners with a Thai teammate to win the doubles title at the W35 Dallas, TX tournament of the ITF Women's World Tennis Tour in mid-July. Photo source: Lingnan University

Prof Chan also noted that Lingnan University’s elite athletes have achieved consistently outstanding results in major international competitions. Two cyclists who enrolled at Lingnan last year, Phoebe Tung and Yeung Cho-yiu, represented Team Hong Kong, China at the Korea Track Cup 2026 in Yangyang, winning silver and bronze medals respectively in the Women’s Elite Keirin. Meanwhile, star tennis athlete Cody Wong, who enrolled at Lingnan in the 2023/24 academic year, partnered with a Thai teammate to win the doubles title at the W35 Dallas, TX tournament of the ITF Women's World Tennis Tour in mid-July. Additionally, top table tennis athlete Yuen Wing-ki, who enrolled at Lingnan in the same cohort, won a bronze medal for the Hong Kong SAR in the Women’s Table Tennis Doubles (Class TT5) at the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games.

Profiles of the seven elite student-athletes

Cyclist Ma Yik-sin: Inspired by two-time Olympic bronze medallist Lee Wai-sze, Ma Yik-sin, elder brother of the Hong Kong Junior Team twin duo, won the Gold Medal in the Men’s Junior Madison at the 2025 National Track Cycling Championships & National Youth Track Cycling Championships alongside his twin Ma Yik-fei. He will enrol in Year 3 of the Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Sports Coaching and Event Management programme.

Cyclist Ma Yik-sin, Photo source: Lingnan University

Cyclist Ma Yik-fei: Younger twin brother Ma Yik-fei was also inspired by Lee Wai-sze, and brought home a silver medal in the Men’s Junior Scratch, a silver medal in the Youth Elimination Race, and a bronze medal in the Men’s Junior Team Pursuit from the 2025 Asian Track Championships in Malaysia. He will enrol in Year 3 of the Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Sports Coaching and Event Management programme.

Cyclist Ma Yik-fei, Photo source: Lingnan University

Cyclist Kwok Chun-yan: A road cyclist whose team won the Team Classification Title at the 2025 Yellow River Estuary (Dongying) Road Cycling Race and the Men’s U23 Championship at the 2025 Hong Kong Road Cycling Championships, Kwok will enrol in Year 3 of the Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Sports Coaching and Event Management programme.

Cyclist Kwok Chun-yan, Photo source: Lingnan University

Cyclist Siu Ka-chun: Siu won a Bronze Medal in the Men's Junior Keirin (International Division) at the 2023 Hong Kong International Track Cup, and came 8th in the Men’s Junior Group A Time Trial at the 2023 China National U Series Junior Road Championship. He will enrol in Year 3 of the Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Sports Coaching and Event Management programme.

Cyclist Siu Ka-chun, Photo source: Lingnan University

Triathlete Lam Lok-shi: Joined the Hong Kong Team for training aged 14, and was named an Outstanding Junior Athlete for the fourth quarter of 2022. He won the Gold Medal in the Men’s U15 category at the 2023 Asia Triathlon Youth Championships, and was the 2nd Runner-up in the Male Elite Junior category at the 2026 Asia Triathlon Junior Cup Putrajaya. He will enrol in Year 1 of the Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Psychology programme.

Triathlete Lam Lok-shi, Photo source: Lingnan University

Tenpin bowler Amen Yuen Cheuk-hin: Yuen represented the Hong Kong SAR at the 21st and 22nd Asian Junior Tenpin Bowling Championships in 2022 and 2023, where he and his teammates won the Champion and 2nd Runner-up titles in the Boys' Team of four. He was also the 1st Runner-up in the U22 Division at the U22 Hong Kong Storm Cup 2025. He will enrol in Year 3 of the Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Sports Coaching and Event Management programme.

Tenpin bowler Amen Yuen Cheuk-hin, Photo source: Lingnan University

High jumper Hui Chi-man: Active in track and field, Hui competed in the 2025 All China Youth (U18) Athletics Championships, coming 14th in the Men’s U18 High Jump. He will enrol in Year 1 of the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Philosophy programme.

High jumper Hui Chi-man, Photo source: Lingnan University

Each elite athlete admitted through Lingnan’s SALSA Scheme will receive an allowance of up to HK$400,000 to cover tuition fees, learning and living expenses, accommodation costs, and expenses for the Chinese Mainland or overseas exchanges. They will also benefit from physiotherapy, medical care, and additional insurance coverage to ensure their well-being.

Furthermore, to accommodate the student-athletes’ training and competition schedules, designated staff from the Office of Student Affairs will provide one-stop dedicated support from admission to graduation. This includes priority course registration and flexible learning and examination arrangements, as well as career planning advice to help them explore diverse professional pathways beyond sports.