EdUHK and Shandong University Co-host the 1st International Conference on New Liberal Arts
Cross-disciplinary Driving Educational Innovation and Global Exchange
The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) and Shandong University jointly organised the 1st International Conference on New Liberal Arts (ICNLA-1) on 18 and 19 December at EdUHK’s Tai Po campus. The two-day conference attracted around 250 scholars, experts and students from around 70 universities and institutions worldwide, including those based in the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR, Taiwan, China, as well as France, New Zealand, South Korea and other countries and regions. The conference focused on cutting-edge topics such as artificial intelligence and humanities education, digitalisation of cultural heritage, and innovation in public policy, aiming to foster international dialogue and practical innovation in New Liberal Arts education.
The opening ceremony took place on the morning of 18 December. Addressing the ceremony, EdUHK President Professor John Lee Chi-Kin and Shandong University Vice President Professor Cao Xianqiang, warmly recalled the profound collaborative friendship and steadfast partnership long cherished between the two universities. They emphasised that the conference marks a significant milestone in advancing the frontiers of New Liberal Arts. They noted that, amid profound transformations in the global landscape, only through interdisciplinary integration and educational innovation can we nurture well-rounded talent with cultural depth, global vision and innovative capabilities, capable of meeting future challenges.
The conference is structured around four pivotal strands:
- Innovation in Public Policy: Examines AI and big data applications in tackling real-world governance challenges.
- Digital Rebirth of Cultural Heritage: Leverages digital tools to preserve, interpret, and disseminate diverse cultural assets.
- Harnessing the Power of GenAI to Boost Teaching and Learning Effects: Transforms interdisciplinary curriculum design, teaching methodologies, and learning assessment to cultivate future-ready talent.
- Digital Trans-literacies in Learning and Communication: Explores multimodal media for deep learning and cross-cultural dialogue in complex information ecosystems.
The conference featured a roundtable discussion and multiple keynote speeches. These discussions helped academics and practitioners gain a better understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing the humanities and social sciences in the digital era, and explore innovative pathways for future development.
Speakers and participants shared insights on the development directions and core values of New Liberal Arts from perspectives including technological ethics, educational philosophy, cultural inheritance, and modern governance. Over 150 students and scholars presented their latest research findings related to New Liberal Arts, showcasing a vibrant academic ecosystem and the research potential of young scholars.
ICNLA-1 offered a distinguished platform for leading scholars and experts worldwide to exchange ideas. The conference strengthened the strategic partnership between EdUHK and Shandong University, fostered cross-regional and interdisciplinary collaboration, and established networks that will inject fresh momentum into the global advancement of New Liberal Arts education.
-Ends-
