Hong Kong will host the annual Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) Conference and Exhibition next month, drawing 2,500 delegates from more than 65 jurisdictions to discuss the impact of geopolitics on education, including whether American universities can still provide students with a positive experience. The event follows a vow by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu two years ago to promote the “Study in Hong Kong” brand through such global academic gatherings.
Hong Kong will host the five-day Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) Conference and Exhibition from February 23 to 27, 2026, as part of efforts to bolster international education ties. The event at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre includes a pre-conference day, a three-day summit, and a final day of campus tours visiting all eight local public universities. Discussions will focus on how geopolitics affects education, particularly whether American universities can still deliver a positive experience for students.
An Education Bureau spokeswoman told the South China Morning Post that the eight public universities will jointly set up a “Study in Hong Kong” booth at the venue to highlight the city's tertiary education achievements. The bureau hopes the conference will foster deeper cooperation with global institutions, aid in recruiting more students and scholars, and facilitate the signing of various student exchange agreements.
Secretary for Education Christine Choi Yuk-lin announced the event last month at the fourth annual Principals’ Forum organized by the Post, describing it as part of “Study in Hong Kong Week” from February 23 to March 1. She said the initiative aims to showcase Hong Kong's strengths as an international education hub. The conference builds on Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu's policy address two years ago, in which he pledged to promote the “Study in Hong Kong” brand by hosting more such global events.
The gathering is expected to draw representatives from Canada, East Asia, European countries, the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Japan, Southeast Asia, New York University, Australia, the United States, and the Asia-Pacific region, including figures from Emory University and Dennis Lo Yuk-ming.
