As regional co-host, PolyU played a key role in the Times Higher Education (THE) Global Sustainable Development Congress 2025 held in Istanbul, Türkiye. Under the theme “Convening the global sustainability and higher education community”, the four-day event gathered 3,500 delegates from 110 countries and 1,200 institutions to explore how higher education can foster alliances and drive positive action for a sustainable future.

Professor Wing-tak Wong, Deputy President and Provost, led a delegation to participate in and speak at the Congress, emphasising PolyU’s commitment to sustainable development. The team included Professor Christopher Chao, Vice President (Research and Innovation); Professor Geoffrey Shen, Associate Vice President (Global Partnerships); Professor Yang Hongxia, Associate Dean (Global Engagement), Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences; Professor Jerry Yan Jinyue, Chair Professor of Energy and Buildings; Professor Christina Wong, Director of Research and Innovation; Mr Kelvin Wong, Director of the Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship Office, and representatives from the Institutional Planning and Analytics Office.

The Congress featured a series of high-impact discussions and valuable networking opportunities. Key highlights included:

• In the Presidential Discussion “The Missing Piece: Enhancing the Role of Universities in Driving Progress Towards the SDGs”, Professor Wing-tak Wong joined Professor Dawn Freshwater, Vice-Chancellor at The University of Auckland, and Dr Matsheliso Molapo, Vice-Principal of Strategy, Risk and Advisory Services at The University of South Africa, to examine how universities can move from rhetoric to measurable progress. The panel emphasised the need for universities to embed the SDGs into their core strategies and hold themselves accountable for tangible outcomes.

  

   

• In the panel discussion “AI Ethics and Governance: Navigating the Path to Responsible Innovation to Achieve SDGs”, Professor Christopher Chao joined Professor Karim Darban, Professor at University of Hassan II Casablanca, and Professor Heng Wang, Professor of Law, Yong Pung How School of Law at Singapore Management University, to discuss the importance of education in preparing students for the complexities and biases of AI. The panel highlighted universities’ responsibility to provide diverse perspectives and resources, and the need for comprehensive training to address the legal challenges posed by AI.

  

   

• “The Role of AI in the Race to a Greener Future”, moderated by Professor Christina Wong, brought together Professor Erdal Aydin from Koç University, and PolyU’s Professor Geoffrey Shen, Professor Jerry Yan, and Professor Yang Hongxia to discuss how AI can advance sustainability and environmental conservation across sectors.

  

   

• Mr Kelvin Wong spoke in “The Role of Universities in Driving Impactful Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship”, emphasising PolyU’s commitment to translating research into practical solutions for urban resilience, renewable energy, and social challenges, as well as supporting alumni startups for economic growth and global expansion.

  

   

At the venue, PolyU showcased its groundbreaking research in deep space exploration, sustainable manufacturing, new materials and energy, and optometry, reinforcing its role in fostering interdisciplinary collaborations that drive global advancement.