The Asia Leadership Roundtable 2025 (The ALR 2025) titled "Technology in School Leadership and Learning", co-hosted by the Asia Pacific Centre for Leadership and Change and Department of Education Policy and Leadership, Department of Educational Management and the National Training Centre for Secondary School Principals of East China Normal University, was successfully held in Shanghai, China, from 23 – 26 May 2025. Over 50 renowned scholars from different universities around the world participated in sharing cutting-edge findings from global research and practice in education leadership.

Launched in 2010, the Asia Leadership Roundtable serves to enhance collaboration in research and development in the areas of educational leadership and change. Participants will be drawn from universities in the Asia Pacific region as well as from our global partners. By fostering knowledge exchange and collaboration between regional and international scholars and between world-class senior researchers and regional emerging scholars, the ALR 2025 continued to enhance the research and development capacities of emerging scholars in the region, including Hong Kong, Mainland China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and beyond. Both senior and emerging scholars from EdUHK significantly contributed to and benefited from the ALR. The successful organization of the 12th ALR with participation from more than 15 countries or regions around the world, including Australia, Chile, South Africa, Switzerland, the USA, the UK, underscored the leadership of the centre and the department in producing and advancing scholarship on school leadership, education policy and professional development globally. Its success also signifies EdUHK's reputation as a regional leader in shaping the future of education.

From upper left: Prof Allan Walker, The Education University of Hong Kong, Prof Philip Hallinger, Mahidol University, Dr Liu Shengnan, East China Normal University, Dr Sedat Gumus, The Education University of Hong Kong

The roundtable was inaugurated with the welcoming speech by Prof Philip Hallinger from Mahidol University, Prof Hu Yaozong, Dr Liu Shengnan from East China Normal University, and Dr Sedat Gumus from The Education University of Hong Kong.

The roundtable had the honour of hosting distinguished keynote speakers—Professors Yuan Zhenguo, Chen Pei-Ying, Stephan Huber, Dr David Ng Foo Seong, Dr Ori Eyal, and Dr Lu Jiafang—who shared invaluable insights with participants. The sessions were chaired by Professors Clive Dimmock, Kerry Kennedy, Pan Hui Ling Wendy, Raj Mestry, Lin Ming Dih, and Dr Qian Haiyan respectively, who skillfully facilitated engaging discussions and enriched the exchange of ideas.

Keynote Presentations (in Clockwise)
1. Prof Yuan Zhenguo, East China Normal University & Prof Kerry Kennedy, The Education University of Hong Kong
2. Prof Chen Pei-Ying, National Taiwan Normal University & Dr Qian Haiyan, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
3. Prof Stephan Huber, Johannes Kepler University Linz & Prof Pan Hui Ling Wendy, Tamkang University
4. Dr David Ng Foo Seong, National Institute of Education & Prof Raj Mestry, University of Johannesburg
5. Dr Ori Eyal, Hebrew University of Jerusalem & Prof Lin Ming Dih, National Chung Cheng University
6. Dr Lu Jiafang, The Education University of Hong Kong & Prof Clive Dimmock, University of Glasgow

In addition, two interactive roundtable discussions were facilitated by Prof Chen Shuangye and Dr Lawrie Drysdale, respectively. These sessions engaged participants in exploring how technology can improve educational quality and addressing the challenges associated with school leadership.

Left: Prof Chen Shuangye, East China Normal University
Right: Dr Lawrie Drysdale, The University of Melbourne

The concluding discussion sessions featured panel discussions on two topics: "Preparation and Development Programmes for Future-Ready Leadership" and "Publication Challenges and Potential Solutions for Emerging Scholars." These sessions were chaired by Prof Xiu Cravens, Prof Sefika Mertkan, and Dr Paul Campbell, respectively.

Upper (Left to right): Dr Donnie Adams, The University of Melbourne, Dr Dhirapat Kulophas, Chulalongkorn University, Dr Liu Shengnan, East China Normal University, Dr Tan Cheng Yong & Dr Paul Campbell, The University of Hong Kong, Dr Şefika Mertkan, Eastern Mediterranean University
Lower (Left to right): Prof Xiu Cravens, Vanderbilt University, Prof David Gurr, The University of Melbourne, Dr Qian Haiyan, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prof Michael Johanek, University of Pennsylvania, Prof Liu Lili, East China Normal University

The roundtable were concluded by Prof Allan Walker and Prof Philip Hallinger. They expressed gratitude for the valuable insights and meaningful discussion of all esteemed speakers and thanked the speakers and participants for supporting and joining this event.

Beyond the roundtable, attendees had the opportunity to participate in extended programmes, including school visits, a Simulation Workshop hosted by Prof Philip Hallinger at East China Normal University, and an exchange programme in Hangzhou.

Lastly, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to the Department of Educational Management and the National Training Centre for Secondary School Principals at East China Normal University for their generous sponsorship of this year's roundtable.