The British Council's Global Education Dialogue “Research networks for innovation in East Asia – who does the future belong to?”  held in Hong Kong in September brought together around 100 higher education leaders and policy makers from the UK and 11 countries and jurisdictions in the Asia Pacific region.  Together, they explored the latest trends in research collaboration, and discussed the opportunities and challenges for multi-lateral engagement.

The Hong Kong Global Education Dialogue was the second in a series of six high-level education dialogues tackling key higher education reform issues. Feedback indicates they are providing a highly-valued new platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration.

UK representation was led by Professor Rick Rylance, chairman of Research Councils UK, and David Sweeney, Director (Research, Innovation and Skills), Higher Education Funding Council for England.  Leaders from the universities of Leeds, Bath, Nottingham, Birmingham and Sussex also participated.  Michelle Li, Deputy Secretary for Education, and Professor Roland Chin, Chairman of the Research Grants Council, led the dialogue from the Hong Kong side.

The Hong Kong event is likely to lead to new ring-fenced funding for multilateral collaboration, whilst institutions identified new opportunities and contacts.

The full report on this dialogue can be found here.  

The British Council is now planning three further Global Education Dialogues, offered free of charge.

  • New models of overseas delivery and the student experience. November 27-28, 2012, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Keynote: Professor Dame Joan Stringer, Principal, Edinburgh Napier University,

  • Transnational education and ways forward for recognition in China. Beijing, China, December 10. Keynote speaker: Carolyn Campbell,  Head of Networks and Partnerships, Quality Assurance Agency

  • Leadership in higher education and the challenge of globalisation: The East Asia experience. Tokyo, Japan, January 15-16, 2013. Keynote: Professor Sir Steve Smith, Vice-Chancellor, University of Essex. Supported by the Leadership Foundation.

It is not too late to participate in these events. Find out more at www.ihe.britishcouncil.org/ged or email the series co-ordinator, Katherine Forestier, at katherine.forestier@britishcouncil.org.hk