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Organised by the Integrated Centre for Wellbeing (I-WELL) and Department of Special Education and Counselling (SEC) at The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK), The ‘Bridging Borders Through Technology: Belt & Road Conference on Special Education’ was held on 20 May at its Tai Po Campus, in collaboration with SDU University in Kazakhstan and Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI) in Malaysia. This hybrid conference was attended by nearly 250 participants both online and in person, including scholars, educators, entrepreneurs, and industry experts from Hong Kong, Mainland China, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia. Through a variety of programmes, including keynote speeches, talks, and an exhibition, the scholars shared their latest findings on advancing education and diverse learning, while exploring the integration and directions of artificial intelligence and educational technology in special education.

 

EdUHK President Professor John Lee Chi-Kin delivered a speech via video, stating that, as one of HKSAR's eight publicly-funded universities, EdUHK was the largest institution focusing on teacher education. He said he hoped the conference would serve as a cross-regional medium, connecting special education experts and industry leaders worldwide to exchange their professional knowledge and experience in the fields of artificial intelligence, education technology, inclusive education, special education and education policy. “Let’s work together to provide youngsters with diversified, high-quality education, equipping them to face life’s challenges,” he added.

 

Professor Bruce Macfarlane, Dean of Faculty of Education and Human Development of EdUHK delivered welcoming remarks for the event. The conference encompassed 37 talks focusing on three themes: ‘AI, Technology, and Inclusion in Education’, ‘Special Education, Pedagogy, Psychological Interventions’, and ‘Inclusive Education Policies, History, and Global Perspective’. Over 40 leading experts and scholars presented their research findings and practical case studies.

 

Moreover, five renowned scholars delivered keynote speeches on a range of topics at the conference. They were Professor Connie Sung, Professor of Social Work at the School of Social Work at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor; Dr Abdul Halim bin Masnan, Deputy Dean (Student Affairs and Alumni) and Associate Professor of the Department of Early Childhood Education of the Faculty of Human Development at UPSI; Dr Nurbieta binti Abd Aziz, Senior Lecturer of the Department of Special Education of the Faculty of Human Development at UPSI; Ms Madina Suleimen, Head of the Social and Inclusive Education Research Center at SDU University; and Professor Zulfiya Movkebayeva, Professor of the Department of Special Education at Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University. 

 

The conference also featured an exhibition area with participation from eight organisations from Hong Kong and Malaysia, including universities, NGOs and EdTech companies, which demonstrated how AI-driven, Big Data and innovation tools can address challenges in education, and support students with special educational needs within communities, schools and families. For more details, please visit: https://obor2025.eduhk.hk/

 

The Belt and Road Initiative is an important national development strategy. EdUHK has long been committed to building interdisciplinary research networks and collaborating with universities in Belt and Road countries, by jointly organising academic symposiums and conducting collaborative research projects in a bid to promote systematic innovation in international talent development.

 

Photo shows (from left) Professor Leung Chi Hung, Co-Director of Integrated Centre for Wellbeing (I-WELL) at EdUHK; Dr Liu Duo, Phil, Associate Head of Department of Special Education and Counselling at EdUHK; Ms Madina Suleimen, Head of Social and Inclusive Education Research Center at SDU University in Kazakhstan; Dr Yum Yen Na, Cherry, Acting Head of Department of Special Eduation and Counselling at EdUHK; Professor Chan Che Hin Chetwyn, Vice President (Research and Development) at EdUHK; Professor Bruce Macfarlane, Dean of Faculty of Education and Human Development at EdUHK; Dr Wang Li-Chih, Angus, Director of I-WELL at EdUHK; Dr Abdul Halim bin Masnan, Deputy Dean (Student Affairs and Alumni) and Associate Professor of Department of Early Childhood Education, Faculty of Human Development at Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI); Dr Jan Gube, Assistant Dean (International Engagement) of Faculty of Education and Human Development at EdUHK, at the opening ceremony of the conference.

 

EdUHK President Professor Lee Chi Kin, John speaks at the conference via video.

 

Professor Burce Macfarlane, Dean of Faculty of Education and Human Development at EdUHK, welcomes scholars from around the globe.

 

Dr Fu Hong, Associate Professor of Department of Mathematics and Information Technology at EdUHK addresses the topic of ‘The use of AI and multimodal sensory systems in special education and the role of eye-tracking in research’.

 

Professor Song Yanjie, Professor of Department of Mathematics and Information Technology at EdUHK addresses the topic of ‘Enhancing positive emotions through the AI-Powered App: EmoCare’.

 

Professor Connie Sung, Professor of Social Work at School of Social Work of University of Michigan Ann Arbor delivers a keynote speech.

 

Dr Abdul Halim bin Masnan, Deputy Dean (Student Affairs and Alumni) and Associate Professor of Department of Early Childhood Education, Faculty of Human Development at UPSI delivers a keynote speech.

 

Dr Nurbieta binti Abd Aziz, Senior Lecturer of Department of Special Education, Faculty of Human Development at UPSI delivers a keynote speech.

 

Ms Madina Suleimen, Head of Social and Inclusive Education Research Center at SDU University delivers a keynote speech.

 

Professor Zulfiya Movkebayeva, Professor of Department of Special Education at Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University delivers a keynote speech.

 

The special educators, NGOs and EdTech companies from Hong Kong and Malaysia are invited to showcase the latest research findings and innovations in the field of special education and inclusive education in the exhibition area.

 

A group photo of guests and participants.