The Association of Commonwealth Universities Conference of Executive Heads 2011

  Higher Education in Hard Times - Risk, Reputation, Reform:
 Developing new business in a changing environment

The ACU Conference of Executive Heads 2011, organised by the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) and co-hosted by the University of Hong Kong (HKU), the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and the Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK), will be held on April 6 - 8, 2011. This Conference is one the HKU Centenary celebration programmes.

Higher education faces its most challenging environment for decades - and the need to learn from international practice is greater than ever. This three-day Conference will challenge conventional wisdom about the future markets, and focus on the critical issues that university leaders need to know in developing their future strategies.

Some 20 speakers from UK, Hong Kong, Australia, Malaysia, South Africa and India will address the audience and share their thinking on issues such as development strategy, reputation and partnership. Plenary discussions including Creating and Retaining a Global Identity, Strategic Partnerships, Risk, Reputation and Reform in the E-Environment, Engaging with Higher Education in China and Commercialising Research will be held.

Professor Jamil Salmi, Tertiary Education Co-ordinator of the World Bank will deliver a keynote speech in the Inaugural Ceremony.

Media representatives are cordially invited to the conference. Details are as follows:

Inaugural Ceremony and Conference Day 1

Date: April 6, 2011 (Wednesday)
Time: 9:30am - 5:30pm (9:30am - 11:00am Inaugural Ceremony)
Guests of Inaugural Ceremony:
- Mr Michael Stone, Secretary General of the University Grants Committee
- Dr Theuns Eloff, Chair of the ACU Council
- Professor Lap-Chee Tsui, Vice-Chancellor , The University of Hong Kong
- Professor Joseph Sung, Vice-Chancellor and President, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
- Professor John Leong, President, The Open University of Hong Kong
- Mr David Foster, Executive Director, The Croucher Foundation
- Mr Peter Upton, Director South China, British Council

Venue: Cheung Kung Hai Conference Centre, G/F, William MW Mong Block, 21 Sassoon Road, The University of Hong Kong

Conference Day 2

Date: April 7, 2011 (Thursday)
Time: 9:30pm - 6:00pm

Venue: Lee Shau Kee Building, Lecture Theatre 6 (First Floor), The Chinese University of Hong Kong 

Conference Day 3

Date: April 8, 2011 (Friday)
Time: 9:30am - 3:00pm
Venue: Serena Yang Lecture Theatre, The Open University of Hong Kong, 30 Good Shepherd Street

Language: English

For media enquiries, please contact Ms Trinni Choy (Assistant Director (Media), Communications and Public Affairs Office) tel: 2859 2606 / email: pychoy@hku.hk  or Ms Melanie Wan (Manager (Media), Communications and Public Affairs Office) tel: 2859 2600 / email: melwkwan@hku.hk .

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