“Talent in, Impact Out”: Inside The Education University of Hong Kong's vision for an interconnected world of talent and expertise

“Partnerships are not one-off events but sustained, ever-growing relationships,” he adds. “As we mark the 10th anniversary of the University’s retitling, our next decade is about education with impact: attracting and nurturing talents who contribute to social good in Hong Kong SAR, China, and the world.”

“We live in an interconnected world that goes beyond the West, and it should be viewed as a highly connected whole,” says EdUHK President Professor John Lee Chi-Kin. “When we welcome students and scholars from diverse backgrounds, they bring different approaches to learning, teaching and research, and help cultivate global citizens who respect every culture.”

The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) pursues a dual internationalisation strategy: attracting talented students, scholars and researchers from around the world while exporting educational and research expertise to communities beyond Hong Kong.

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The journeys of three faculty members bring this vision to life.

Bringing international expertise to Hong Kong

Professor Andrew Mark Edwards joined EdUHK in 2025, among a growing number of international scholars drawn to the University. He now serves as Associate Dean (International Engagement) of the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (FLASS). He previously held senior academic positions in the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, and is internationally recognised for his research in exercise physiology and psychophysiology.

“EdUHK offers a distinctive focus on education while embracing interdisciplinary research and innovation. Within my first year at EdUHK, I secured a competitive General Research Fund grant. The University has been highly supportive in helping me establish my research programme, including supporting an international PhD student from the Netherlands to join my research group.”

The University's commitment to building international networks and fostering global collaboration left a strong impression on Edwards. Shortly after joining EdUHK, he was invited by the President to help the Head of Department organise a major international conference. "Shaping the Future: Sport, Health and Education 2026", which will be held in November.

As Associate Dean (International Engagement), Edwards is also helping to advance a wider programme of international engagement across FLASS, covering staff mobility, international partnership development and global impact initiatives.

“What impressed me most was its openness to new ideas and international collaboration. The University provides a supportive environment where academics can exchange ideas, expand global networks and create research with real-world impact,” he notes.

A strategic focus on Belt and Road countries

EdUHK actively promotes international educational collaboration, with a particular focus on Belt and Road countries. One notable example is its longstanding partnership with Kazakhstan, which includes the establishment of the EdUHK-Kazakh Academy of Education in Almaty, and a major student recruitment initiative.

Inspired by the opportunities available, he chose to undertake his doctoral studies at EdUHK under the highly competitive Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme. After completing his PhD, he secured a grant under the RGC Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme, placing him firmly on the path towards becoming a promising early-career researcher.

The appeal of EdUHK lies in its generous support, world-class research environment and strong reputation in technology-enhanced language education, Zadorozhnyy explains.

“I found an inspiring academic community at EdUHK, where scholars are engaged in rigorous, collaborative, and socially meaningful research. What particularly appealed to me was EdUHK’s emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, where fields such as language education, digital learning and computer science intersect to generate innovative research,” he says. 

Exporting research expertise and creating global impact

Integral to EdUHK’s internationalisation strategy is the export of expertise through international research partnerships and capacity-building projects that create tangible benefits for communities worldwide.

One example is the work of Dr Deng Wenjing, Acting Head of the Department of Science and Environmental Studies and Associate Professor at FLASS, who has built an international research collaboration from a project examining environmental risks in schools. Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the initiative demonstrates how EdUHK translates research excellence into practical solutions while informing policymaking in several Belt and Road countries.

Deng’s team has developed monitoring technologies, educational resources and policy-support tools that help schools better understand environmental health risks and respond effectively.

“Because environmental challenges vary across regions, we work with local universities, schools and education authorities to co-create solutions tailored to each community’s needs,” she explains. Through portable air-quality sensors, hands-on monitoring activities and STEM learning resources, the team empowers local educators and students to improve their own environments.

“Through initiatives in Sri Lanka, Nepal, Malaysia, Indonesia and Guangxi, Chinese Mainland, we have reached more than 3,000 students and educators.”

“The success of this work demonstrates how international collaboration, built on local ownership and co-creation, can generate lasting impact,” Deng adds.

Deng’s achievements also reflect EdUHK’s commitment to fostering an inclusive academic ecosystem that provides opportunities for talented and dedicated scholars regardless of gender or background.

“I am grateful for the many opportunities at the University. I think I have made a mark as a woman in science,” she says.

EdUHK’s internationalisation strategy demonstrates how Hong Kong serves as a welcoming, dynamic and globally connected education hub, where scholars from diverse backgrounds and at different stages of their careers can thrive, contribute and create meaningful global impact.