Times Higher Education (THE) Global Sustainable Development Congress 2025

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University is proud to be the regional co-host (APAC) of the Times Higher Education (THE) Global Sustainable Development Congress 2025 (GSDC) to be held in Istanbul from 16 to 19 June 2025. Themed on ‘Convening the global sustainability and higher education community’, the Congress, convened by Times Higher Education and co-hosted with Türkiye's Council of Higher Education, aims to bring together over 5,000 world's leading thinkers, policymakers and practitioners from different sectors to drive new alliances and create positive action for a more sustainable future. The President of PolyU will lead a delegation to participate in and speak at the Congress, emphasising our commitment to sustainable development.

PolyU Sessions

While many universities have integrated the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals into their strategies, gaps remain in action, accountability and impact. This session will critically examine what higher education institutions are failing to address – from insufficient climate action to the lack of inclusive policies – and explore how universities can move from rhetoric to real, measurable progress. We will discuss:

• Beyond rankings and marketing, are universities truly embedding SDGs into their core strategies? 
• The role of higher education in tackling global disparities in gender, race and socioeconomic status 
• Challenges in funding and incentivising interdisciplinary, solutions-driven research aligned with the SDGs 
• Developing stronger mechanisms for tracking, measuring and reporting universities’ contributions to the SDGs
  
  

Moderator

Mr Chris HAVERGAL, Editor at Times Higher Education

Panellists

• Prof. Dawn FRESHWATER, Vice-Chancellor at The University of Auckland
• Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President at PolyU 

As AI reshapes industries and societies, the ethical and governance challenges it presents are becoming more critical. This session will explore the ethical implications of AI, focusing on transparency, accountability, fairness and societal impact. Speakers will discuss how governance frameworks can ensure that AI is developed and deployed responsibly, without exacerbating inequalities or compromising fundamental rights, emphasising the need for trustworthy and ethical AI systems to achieve SDGs. Speakers will discuss:

• Who is responsible for AI and how can we ensure human oversight in critical decisions?
• Tackling algorithmic bias and ensuring AI systems promote fairness and do not reinforce societal inequalities
• The importance of making AI systems transparent and understandable for all
• Collaborating to shape ethical standards and regulations

Moderator

Prof. Şirin KARADENIZ, Adviser to the President for R&D Projects and Quality Assurance, Doğuş University

Panellists

• Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation); Chair Professor of Thermal and Environmental Engineering; Director of Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology (PReCIT) at PolyU
• Prof. Karim DARBAN, Professor at University of Hassan II Casablanca
• Dr Anoop SWARUP, Secretary General at Association of Universities of Asia and the Pacific
• Prof. Heng WANG, Professor of Law, Yong Pung How School of Law at Singapore Management University  

The panel will bring together experts in the areas of AI, future energy and built environment, and sustainable operations to discuss cutting-edge AI strategies in enabling environmental conservation and green partnerships. This session will explore:

• Accelerating AI innovations for sustainable development and engaging society in environmental conservation
• Effective governance of AI application and innovation
• AI-enhanced digitalisation of energy systems towards urban carbon neutrality and sustainability and how AI may enhance the construction industry
• AI/Optimisation enabled design and operation of integrated energy systems under uncertainty in the light of decarbonisation

Moderator

Panellists

• Prof. Erdal AYDIN, Associate Professor, Chemical and Biological Engineering at Koç University
• Prof. Geoffrey SHEN, Associate Vice President (Global Partnerships); Director of Global Engagement; Chair Professor of Construction Management at PolyU
• Prof. Jerry YAN Jinyue, Chair Professor of Energy and Buildings at PolyU
• Prof. Hongxia YANG, Associate Dean (Global Engagement) of Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences; Professor of Department of Computing at PolyU

Universities are increasingly pivotal in translating research breakthroughs and inventions from the lab into real-world applications through knowledge transfer, magnifying their societal impacts. Explore how PolyU fosters a vibrant ecosystem of knowledge transfer and entrepreneurship to create a sustainable future by:

• Transforming research to innovative solutions that enhance urban resilience, reduce carbon footprints, and advance renewable energy
• Encouraging initiatives that address social challenges and drive positive change
• Supporting alumni-founded start-ups that create jobs, stimulate economic growth and expand into global markets

Presenter

Mr Kelvin WONG, Director of Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship Office at PolyU

Visit Our Country Showcase

Booth Number: D2

Organiser: Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship Office, PolyU

Address: Istanbul Congress Center (İstanbul Kongre Merkezi), Harbiye, Darülbedai Caddesi No:3, 34367 Şişli, İstanbul, Türkiye