Programme

 Keynote Speech 1    Day 2 - 10:40-11:10 

Mr Albert H P Chow is currently the Executive Director of HKCAAVQ.  Prior to joining HKCAAVQ, Mr Chow was the Director of General Administration of Hong Kong Baptist University. He has also served as the Head of Academic Quality Assurance of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the Director of Qualifications cum Registrar of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE). He has broad expertise in higher education, and vocational and professional education and training sectors in Hong Kong and beyond.

Internationally, Mr Chow has made significant contributions to the education and professional practice agreements in the engineering and information technology fields. Over the years, he has led HKIE projects in outcome-based accreditation and out-of-jurisdiction accreditation that are recognised by international agreements under the Washington Accord, Sydney Accord and Seoul Accord. Mr Chow was also chairman/member of a number of working groups and committees set up by the Government and the public sectors.

 Topic 

Development of Universities of Applied Sciences in Hong Kong

 Keynote Speech 2    Day 2 - 13:45-14:15 

Dr Yasunao HATTORI is the President of the National Institution for Academic Degrees and Quality Enhancement of Higher Education (NIAD-QE). He holds a Ph.D. in Science from the University of Tsukuba and is specializing in topology. Prior to his current role, he served as President of Shimane University from 2015 to 2024. Dr. Hattori has extensive experience in higher education reform, academic evaluation, and quality assurance in Japan’s higher education system.

 Sub-theme 

(ii)　Innovation and quality in higher education curriculum and pedagogy in line with industry collaborations

 Topic 

Bridging the Academia-Industry Gap: Insights from Japanese Universities and the Role of QA Agencies in Asia

 Abstract 

In Japan, as in many other parts of Asia, the gap between academic education and the evolving needs of industry remains a critical issue. As universities strive to align their educational content with the actual demands from society, incorporating industry voices into curriculum design and course implementation is becoming increasingly urgent and important.

This presentation will first introduce initiatives at Japanese universities aimed at addressing this gap. These include not only internships and entrepreneurship education, but also cases in which industry partners are actively engaged in the design and delivery of academic courses.

In addition, we will highlight efforts led by the National Institution for Academic Degrees and Quality Enhancement of Higher Education (NIAD-QE), under the guidance of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), to address this gap by fostering highly skilled professionals in growing sectors.

Through these cases, we will discuss how QA agencies can contribute to facilitating smooth transitions for learners—from secondary to higher education, and from higher education to industry—by promoting dialogue among stakeholders, developing evaluation frameworks suited to diverse contexts, and strengthening the evolving role of quality assurance across the Asia region.

 Keynote Speech 3    Day 2 - 15:45-16:15

Bert Verhoeven leads Australia’s premier interdisciplinary, competency-driven Innovation & Entrepreneurship program at the University of Newcastle (UON), built on a Human-Centric, GenAI-First pedagogy. As founder of the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Academy, he fosters cross-disciplinary collaboration with industry and global partners, applying Design Science, entrepreneurial competencies, and Generative AI to drive innovation and impact.

His recent work examines how GenAI disrupts traditional assurance of learning (AoL). Drawing on 30 months of action research, he developed the 3P AoL model—Product, Process, Person (Reflection)—which delivers verifiable, developmental evidence of learning in AI-integrated curricula, bridging pedagogical innovation with global quality assurance.

 Topic 

AI as a Pedagogical Shift: Rethinking Assurance of Learning in Higher Education

 Abstract 

The proliferation of Generative AI (GenAI) fundamentally challenges traditional assurance of learning (AoL) mechanisms in higher education. Text-based assessments can no longer be relied upon as evidence of individual achievement when AI can instantly generate sophisticated content. This keynote introduces a Human-Centric, GenAI-First (HCAIF) pedagogical framework, developed through 30 months of action research at the University of Newcastle’s Innovation & Entrepreneurship program.

Central to this work is the 3P AoL model—Product, Process, Person (Reflection)—which establishes verifiable, developmental evidence of learning in AI-integrated environments. By embedding programmatic, competency-driven assessment, diversifying modalities (written, oral, practical, digital artefacts), and mandating transparent AI use through prompt logs and reproducibility checks, the model ensures integrity, depth, and relevance in student learning outcomes.

The keynote will explore how this approach bridges pedagogical innovation with global quality assurance, offering higher education leaders practical pathways to uphold standards while embracing AI’s transformative potential.

 Keynote Speech 4    Day 3 - 09:00-09:30

Dr Lucas Kavlie is an experienced higher education leader with deep expertise in institutional accreditation, regulatory affairs, and competency-based education. Known for navigating complex compliance landscapes, fostering student success, and leading strategic institutional initiatives, Dr. Kavlie is adept at building cross-functional teams, managing large-scale transitions, and aligning operations with state and federal requirements. He is a passionate advocate for reimagining education to improve access, affordability, and workforce readiness.

 Topic 

From Compliance to Co-Creation: Reimagining Quality Assurance in the AI Age

 Abstract 

Higher education institutions and industries must forge deeper, more dynamic partnerships to maintain relevance in the current age of Artificial Intelligence. As they do, the role of external quality assurance (EQA) must evolve from gatekeeping to guidance. In other words, EQAs must move from enforcing static standards to co-creating future-ready frameworks. In a world shaped by rapid technological change, global labor shifts, and the urgent call of the SDGs, traditional models of accreditation and regulation risk becoming barriers to the very innovation they seek to ensure.

This keynote explores how quality assurance agencies and institutional leaders can work in concert to support responsible, inclusive, and future-aligned industry collaborations. Drawing on lessons from national and international practice, we will examine emerging quality paradigms that honor both professional relevance and academic integrity. From co-designed micro-credentials to AI-enabled teaching and assessment, this session will offer a roadmap for building mutual trust, ensuring accountability, and supporting student success in ways that are both rigorous and responsive.

Moving beyond compliance for its own sake, we will embrace a model of co-creation where quality assurance is not a finish line, but a foundation for meaningful collaboration.

 Plenary Session 1    Chair & Commentator    Day 2 - 11:15-12:15 

 Plenary Session 2    Chair & Commentator    Day 2 - 14:20-15:20 

 Plenary Session 3    Chair & Commentator    Day 3 - 09:35-10:35 

With over three decades of experience in higher education, Prof Cicek has had the privilege of serving in 12 institutions across 10 countries on three continents.

As a Business Professor and lifelong learner, he currently serves as an international senior advisor/expert in the Internationalization of Higher Education, Quality Assurance & Accreditation, and Global University Rankings. Over the years, he has been actively involved in Teaching and Learning including TVET, Research and Development, the Third Mission, and various international projects in Higher Education landscape.

Throughout Prof Cicek's career, he has made significant contributions—through various roles—to numerous Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), Quality Assurance Agencies (QAAs), Ministries, Councils, and regional and international Networks and Associations in countries such as the UAE (Dubai), Singapore, Switzerland, Northern Cyprus, Turkey, the United Kingdom, Kyrgyzstan, the United States, Slovenia, and the Netherlands.

Prof Cicek holds and has held several prominent leadership and senior advisory positions in the global higher education community. He currently serves as an elected Board Director of INQAAHE (International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education) and, since 2022, as a member of the CHEA-CIQG (Council for Higher Education Accreditation’s International Quality Group) Advisory Council in the USA. He is the current President of IQA (Association of Quality Assurance Agencies of the Islamic World) and Past Vice President of CEENQA (Central and Eastern European Network of Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education).

Additionally, he serves on the Accreditation Committee of the British Accreditation Council (BAC) in the UK (since 2020) and is a member of the Quality Assurance Committee (QAC) of the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA). He also acts as an International Advisor to THEQC (Türkiye Higher Education Quality Council) and Senior Advisor to E-Quadrat Science & Education. Since January 2025, he has been appointed as a Member of the International Strategic Partners Council of the Ministry of Higher Education and Science of Kazakhstan.

He plays a key role as an Advisory Board member, panel chair, evaluator, and senior consultant for many institutional and program-level accreditation bodies worldwide, including
organizations such as NVAO, AQAS, MFHEA, NAKVIS, QAA, THEQC, FIBAA, KAA, and BQA, across regions including the Americas, Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, and the Far East.

His professional involvement also includes participation in various European Union-funded projects as an external evaluator, senior national expert, researcher, and trainer. As a recognized keynote speaker and panelist, he has been invited to speak at numerous international conferences and academic forums. He continues to serve as an international consultant in Quality Assurance, Accreditation, and Rankings for prestigious HEIs and leading international and national organizations, including the OECD, UNESCO, the European Union, Ministries, QA agencies, and global higher education networks.

 Plenary Session 1    Day 2 - 11:15-12:15

Professor Paul Lam is President and Chair Professor of Environmental Chemistry of Hong Kong Metropolitan University.

Professor Lam is a scholar and expert in environmental chemistry, ecotoxicology, and environmental risk assessment. 

In community service, Professor Lam is currently Chairman of the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority, Ex-officio Member of the Education Commission and Member of the Advisory Committee on the Northern Metropolis. He was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 2008 and was awarded the Silver Bauhinia Star in 2014 by the Hong Kong SAR Government.

 Topic 

Bridging Academia and Industry: The Influence of Universities of Applied Sciences on Advancing Professional Relevance, Employability, and Skills Transfer in Hong Kong.

 Abstract 

Hong Kong’s universities of applied sciences are redefining the city’s future by bridging academia and industry, forging connections that elevate graduate employability and drive economic innovation. Recent policy support has empowered these institutions to establish meaningful industry partnerships, shaping graduate outcomes through joint curriculum development, internships, and applied research initiatives. At the forefront of this strategic vision is Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU)—the city’s first university of applied sciences—which demonstrates how applied science institutions can shape tomorrow’s workforce. Serving as secretariat for the Alliance of Universities of Applied Sciences, HKMU collaborates with leading industry bodies, chambers of commerce, and global partners, setting a model for impact.

With over 140 degree programmes, HKMU places professional and practical learning at its core, offering flagship applied degrees spanning aviation, business, engineering, and healthcare. Notable collaborations—such as the Aviation Services Management degree co-developed with the Hong Kong International Aviation Academy—combine rigorous academic study with hands-on industry training and real-world projects. Industry advisory boards, frequent exchanges with local and international institutions, and strategic alliances ensure that academic programmes remain finely tuned to market needs—preparing graduates for Hong Kong’s most high-demand sectors. Beyond joint curriculum design and diverse internship and training opportunities that support talent development, the University is also actively collaborating with industry on applied research projects, co-funded by government and business, to accelerate knowledge transfer and foster innovation.

As our education landscape continues to diversify, this strategic alliance between universities of applied sciences and industry will remain a cornerstone of sustainable growth and prosperity—ensuring Hong Kong’s professional talent thrives in the dynamic years ahead.

 Plenary Session 1   Day 2 - 11:15-12:15

Professor Lau is a world-renowned expert in applied science education. His research areas cover advanced materials, renewable energy, and nanostructured composites. In 2009, he was the first non-US scholar to receive the Ernest L. Boyer Award for Excellence in International Teaching, Learning, and Technology for his philosophy of integrating industrial elements into university education. He began his career as a craft apprentice, then became an engineer and ultimately a scientist. He is a Fellow of the European Academy of Sciences and the European Academy of Sciences and Arts. His research has advanced the commercialization and applications of product development. To date, he holds eighteen patents covering technologies related to sensors and actuators, high-performance materials, and therapeutic devices. He has been consistently ranked in the top 2% of Stanford scientists for many years. He currently leads two national projects related to hydrogen energy and electric vehicle battery recycling.

 Topic 

Industry-driven Applied Science Education: From Basic Knowledge to Real-life Applications

 Abstract 

The spirit of applied science education is to produce graduates who are ready for work to support local and neighbouring industries. Its academic research should be closely aligned with the needs of industry and the community, from now to the future. To achieve this goal, university’s academic programmes, both at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels should be designed to fully consider and project industry needs, as well as potential talent shortages over the next three to five years, rather than simply addressing immediate challenges. Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi)'s academic programmes are guided by industry needs, with conducting in-depth analysis of future labour shortages and technological developments in the region to ensure timely workforce supply and promote economic growth. Industry financial and in-kind investments in our academic programmes focus on niche markets rather than narrow disciplinary areas. Taking into account the rapid development of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, and cybersecurity, integrating these elements into programmes’ curriculum is a MUST to support emerging industries. This will help graduates acquire sufficient and up-to-date knowledge necessary to support and adapt to future development of the country. Strategically providing in-house and on-site practical training is crucial for students to understand the reality of the workplace. In this session, we will share with the audience a comprehensive industry-institution-research collaboration model and explore future directions of cross-institutional, cross-industry, and cross-national activities.

 Plenary Session 2    Day 2 - 14:20-15:20 

Dr Bjørn Stensaker is a professor of higher education at University of Oslo, and a research professor at the Nordic Institute of Studies in Innovation, Research and Education. Dr Stensaker has a special interest in governance, organizational change and quality assurance in higher education, and has published widely on these topics in a range of international journals and book series. He has served on a number of executive and advisory boards in universities and quality assurance agencies in Europe and beyond.

 Topic 

QA and the Relevance Challenge

 Abstract 

Are QA able to balance the emphasis on academic standards with the flexibility and the increased demand for relevance various stakeholders are looking for? This presentation identify key dilemmas QA agencies are facing in a more volatile environment, and sketch out possible pathways agencies can explore in the years to come.

 Plenary Session 2    Day 2 - 14:20-15:20 

Douglas served as President of the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA) until October 2025 when his six-year term as a Board member ended. With members and affiliates in 45 countries, ENQA is the official recognised consultative body for quality assurance in the European Higher Education Area. He has played a leading role in partnership working with other regional quality bodies in Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and Southeast Asia.

He is a former Chief Executive of the UK’s independent Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) whose role was to ensure academic standards are maintained and that student learning opportunities are of the highest quality across the four UK nations. Douglas held Executive roles at the Agency for 20 years, leading it through a period of significant change, developing the agency’s support for higher education in responding to Covid-19 and advised the four governments of the UK throughout this period.

In 40 years of working in higher education, he has championed the role that students can play in assuring and improving the quality and shaping the governance of their institutions. He led QAA’s work to engage students at all levels of quality assurance of UK higher education.

Douglas holds a number of non-executive director roles in education and regulation including being a Board member of the University of Law, South Gloucestershire and Stroud College, the British University in Egypt, the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications, Qualifications Wales, and Cilex Legal Regulation, and is an Advisory Board member of both Future Learn and the Lifelong Education Institute.

 Plenary Session 2    Day 2 - 14:20-15:20 

Dr Chiu is a life-long learner holding a Doctor of Psychology (Clinical Psychology), Juris Doctor, Master of Laws (Chinese Laws) and Master of Philosophy (Government & Public Administration). Dr Chiu is responsible for the strategic management of the Vocational and Professional Accreditation, and Qualifications Register in Hong Kong. She has overseen the development of quality assurance of Applied Learning programmes, various reviews and comparative studies on applied education, and a consultancy study on work-based learning. In addition, Dr Chiu is also responsible for collaborative projects with the Greater Bay Area to promote exchanges and collaborations between educational institutions.