Lingnan University supports 18 outstanding postgraduate students to participate in an academic exchange at the University of Oxford as part of the annual summer school programme

This prestigious annual flagship event has been co-organised with Hertford College, University of Oxford, since 2018. It serves as a platform for advancing postgraduate students' international exposure, global research collaboration, and cross-cultural learning. This year, over 260 students from Lingnan University and other local and overseas institutions participated in the Hong Kong SAR session, held from 24 to 26 June in a hybrid format (online and in-person).

In his welcoming remarks at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong SAR session, Prof Sam Kwong Tak-wu, Associate Vice-President (Strategic Research), J.K. Lee Chair Professor of Computational Intelligence and Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, explained how global exposure and technology empower future scholars. “For today's postgraduate students, AI serves as a critical research catalyst to accelerate data analysis and drive interdisciplinary breakthroughs. By organising this global exchange and supporting our students, Lingnan ensures young talents can master advanced tools without financial barriers. Students get a strategic opportunity to improve their understanding of research ethics and AI capabilities, educating them to handle the complexities of the digital age.”

The Hong Kong SAR session of the summer school involved several interactive workshops led by renowned scholars invited from Australia, Germany, the Hong Kong SAR, Switzerland, and the UK. The workshops were led by Prof Kingsley Agho from Western Sydney University, Australia; Prof Alessio D'Angelo from the University of Derby, UK; Prof Tinashe Dune from Charles Darwin University, Australia; Prof Tobia Fattore from the University of Fribourg, Switzerland; Prof Susann Fegter from the Technical University Berlin, Germany; Prof Gleb Papyshev from the Department of Government and International Affairs (GOV) and Division of Artificial Intelligence of the School of Data Science (SDS), and Ms Angel Fan Yim-hung from the Centre for English and Additional Languages (CEAL) at Lingnan University. The topics spanned advanced research methodologies, academic communication, technologically-driven research and interdisciplinary research skills.

For instance, a workshop titled "Understanding the Role of Large Language Models in Interdisciplinary Research", led by Prof Gleb Papyshev, Assistant Professor of the Department of Government and International Affairs and Division of Artificial Intelligence of Lingnan University, taught students on how Large Language Models (LLMs) can be applied in social science research to simulate human behaviour, generate synthetic data, and address issues such as bias and research ethics. The UK Session expanded on this workshop by offering additional training on how advanced technologies and creative thinking are shaping the future of research and education, with specific topics on "AI in Healthcare" and "AI in the Classroom". The programme also served as an opportunity for peer exchange on research practices across different universities and for identifying ways to develop new research clusters that promote cross-border collaboration and international publications.

Upon completion of the Hong Kong SAR session of the summer school, 18 outstanding postgraduate students who received scholarship from Lingnan University participated in the UK session of the summer school at the University of Oxford from 28 June to 12 July 2026.

Zhou Ying, a student from the Master of Science in Health Analytics and Management programme offered by the GS and a participant in the UK Session, said “Experiencing Oxford's world-class academic environment and rich cultural heritage is an invaluable opportunity made possible by the University's subsidy. It allows me to make friends from diverse backgrounds and broaden my horizons. Beyond my own academic training, I look forward to getting to know peers and scholars from different disciplines, and exchanging perspectives on healthcare, technology, education, and social issues. I believe this interdisciplinary exposure will inspire valuable new ways of thinking in both my academic growth and future professional development.”