Digital Universities Asia (DUA) 2025, co-organized by Lingnan University and Times Higher Education, was held on July 8 and 9. Themed “Powering Social Innovation with Digital Transformation,” DUA brought together more than 300 leading scholars, industry leaders, and policy experts from over 90 universities and 140 organizations worldwide to explore how emerging technologies, particularly AI, can transform teaching and learning and ultimately promote sustainability and social progress.

 

As a Vice President of the Smart City Consortium, Dr. Rosana Wong - Deputy Chair of Yau Lee Group served as the moderator for the panel discussion titled “Bridging the Divide: Advancing Digital Competency for All.” She facilitated the panelists including Dr. Fadi Aloul、Dr. Suhono Supangkat and Mr. Stewart Watts to exchange ideas on how universities and EdTech organizations can lead the way in addressing challenges such as gaps in digital literacy, limited access to technology, and the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on digital inclusion. They discussed innovative strategies, including tailored digital skills frameworks, leadership opportunities, and the development of digital champions to empower educators and students.

 

After the panel discussion, Paulina, Associate Professor in the Science Unit, and her team showed Rosana the latest developments at Lingnan University. The university has excelled in providing quality education and has achieved three No. 1 rankings: “worldwide first for SDG 4: Quality Education” and “Hong Kong first for SDG 1: No Poverty”by Times Higher Education and “highest undergraduate satisfaction with the quality and value of the teaching and learning experience”. Additionally, Paulina showcased several innovative sustainability initiatives implemented on campus, such as the Lunchbox Lending Machine, Waste Classification and Recycling Machines, and the use of Black Soldier Flies for food waste management. Yau Lee Group has also cultivates black soldier flies for food waste management at sites and the data can be analyzed within the Smart Environment sections of the Smart Command Theatre.

 

Rosana was truly impressed by these initiatives and the university's commitment to quality education and sustainability. She expressed a strong interest in exploring further collaboration opportunities with Lingnan University, recognizing the potential for joint efforts to enhance digital education and promote sustainable practices in higher education.