EdUHK, HKUST, and ECNU Launch Phase II of AI and Education Futures Alliance
The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK), the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), and East China Normal University (ECNU) signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 28 October, marking the commencement of Phase II of the tripartite AI and Education Futures Alliance.
Over the next three years, the three universities will deepen collaboration, focusing on the translation of research into practice and the cultivation of high-level talent, with the aim of advancing innovation in education empowered by artificial intelligence (AI).
Established on 31 August 2023, the Alliance has since undertaken cross-regional research and academic exchanges to address the education development needs of the nation, the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). It has also convened international summits and forums, fostering complementary resources and collaborative development between Shanghai and Hong Kong.
During Phase I, the Alliance initiated 16 collaborative research projects, with several having progressed to pilot testing and real-world validation. The projects have produced or are developing a range of AI-enabled educational tools, including pedagogical large language models, intelligent tutoring and chatbot systems for mathematics learning, and an AI-based Chinese composition assessment system. Among them, the “Multi-modal handwriting analysis platform for children” covers approximately 32,000 primary school students and 135,000 kindergarten children, establishing a comprehensive evaluation framework to identify handwriting difficulties and inform targeted support and relevant policy recommendations. Collectively, these studies demonstrate the innovative potential of AI in teaching, assessment, teacher professional development and student-centered learning, while affirming the value of cross-institutional and cross-regional collaborative innovation.
Building on this foundation, Phase II will further connect research, technology, and talent pipelines. It will prioritise turning frontier AI research into deployable educational products, supporting the digital transformation of education in HKSAR, the GBA and nationwide.
Professor John Lee Chi-Kin, President of EdUHK, said, “This new phase of collaboration will further amplify the synergies across the three universities. By converting research outputs into practical solutions and nurturing high-calibre talent, we aim to transform advanced AI research into tangible educational applications. This will continuously fuel educational innovation for HKSAR, the GBA and the nation, enabling technology and education to advance in tandem.”
Professor Ma Yugang, President of ECNU, added, “Entering this second phase allows our three universities to integrate our complementary strengths more effectively in AI for education and talent development. By establishing joint PhD programs and co-supervision networks for postgraduate programmes, we are reinforcing a sustainable framework for deep cooperation between HKSAR and the Chinese Mainland.”
Professor Kai‐Lung Hui, Associate Provost (Academic Development) of HKUST, signed the MoU on behalf of the University. In a video address marking the occasion, Professor Yi-Ke Guo, Provost of HKUST reaffirmed the HKUST’s commitment to the collaboration and stated, “The renewed MoU demonstrates our firm commitment to advancing AI in education. Phase II features a more robust framework, including a joint review mechanism and dedicated funding to accelerate the commercialisation. A cross-university mentorship network and joint scholarships will also be established to cultivate future leaders in educational technology.”
Over the next three years, the Alliance will leverage the academic and technological strengths of the three partners, advance the industrial translation of research results and establish a multi-tier talent development ecosystem. It aspires to build a regional collaborative innovation hub for intelligent education across Greater China and explore new pathways for educational transformation in the AI era.
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EdUHK, HKUST, and ECNU Launch Phase II of AI and Education Futures Alliance
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