The Global University Presidents and Leaders Summit 2026: Northern Metropolis University Town & Industry-Academia-Research-Investment Synergy, organised by the Hong Kong Association for External Friendship (HKAEF), will be held from October 27 to 28 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). This cross-national, cross-sector and cross-generational forum will feature three sessions across two venues. Beyond education, one venue will also explore topics related to law and youth development, bringing practical, new thinking to Hong Kong society.
The media briefing of the Global University Presidents and Leaders Summit 2026
More than 50 university presidents and senior management representatives from over 20 countries and regions have confirmed their attendance, hailing from North America, Europe, Asia, and Belt and Road countries, including several renowned institutions.
The summit will focus on discussing topics related to the Northern Metropolis University Town (NMUT), with a total of 10 sessions. The HKSAR Government‘s new Policy Address and its first Five-Year Plan both regard the Northern Metropolis (NM) as a new engine for the city’s development. Recently, the Government has adopted a town-area concept to plan the NMUT, using the "One Town, Five Elements" development concept to drive the synergistic advancement of government, industry, academia, research and investment sectors. This year‘s summit will explore the five aspects in depth, while also examining topics such as the social responsibility and governance of artificial intelligence.
The media briefing of the Global University Presidents and Leaders Summit 2026
In addition, local tertiary institutions have been rising in international rankings in recent years. In the latest rankings, Hong Kong continues to have five universities in the world’s top 80, and in a recent "Global Ranking of Academic Subjects," the city also ranks among the top in multiple disciplines. The forum brings together over 50 university presidents and senior management representatives from around the world, who will be able to experience Hong Kong’s remarkable educational achievements and systems firsthand, while also providing a timely exchange platform for local tertiary institutions to promote future collaboration.
