IHERD Distinguished Speaker Series | Institute for Higher Education Research and Development

The IHERD Distinguished Speaker Series was organised by the Institute of Higher Education Research and Development (IHERD) to keep the PolyU community informed of the latest trends in AI-empowered education. As leaders in the field, attendees gained valuable insights to help guide strategic planning and decision-making for AI integration within their respective faculties and departments.

Prof. ZHOU Aoying, Professor and Founding Dean at East China Normal University, shares enlightenment from AI and pathway for education DX

IHERD successfully hosted its latest Distinguished Speaker Series seminar on 14 May 2026 (Thur), welcoming a full house of PolyU staff and students. The event featured Prof. ZHOU Aoying, Professor and Founding Dean of the School of Data Science and Engineering at East China Normal University, who delivered a compelling presentation titled "From Internet+ to AI+: Enlightenment from AI and Pathway for Education DX."

14 May, 2026

Prof. Barbara OAKLEY, the globally acclaimed educator, shares how to build minds in the age of AI and reveals why smarter technology is making us "dumber"

On 13 April 2026 (Monday), The Institute for Higher Education Research and Development (IHERD) was honored to host Prof. Barbara OAKLEY for a featured session of the IHERD Distinguished Speaker Series. A world-renowned expert in the sciences of learning, Prof. Oakley delivered a provocative and timely seminar titled, "Building Minds in the Age of AI: Why Smarter Technology Is Making Us Dumber."

13 Apr, 2026

How artificial intelligence empowers education: The digital transformation of education - Prof. LI Zhimin, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China

On 8 December 2025, the “IHERD Distinguished Speaker Series” hosted an inaugural seminar titled "How Artificial Intelligence Empowers Education: The Digital Transformation of Education," featuring Professor LI Zhimin, Former Director of Science and Technology Development Centre, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China; Executive Vice President and Director of the Talent Development Committee, Chinese Society of Educational Development Strategy.

8 Dec, 2025