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About the Symposium

Hong Kong Metropolitan University and Heilbronn University Graduate School are jointly organising a Symposium on “Impactful Innovation and new venture creation: The role of government, industry, and the university” this 6 December 2024, in Hong Kong. The event will delve into the essential collaborations necessary to drive sustainable growth and societal progress, also highlighting the strong economic ties between Germany and Hong Kong that exemplify successful international cooperation.  

Germany, as Hong Kong's largest trading partner in the EU in 2023, EU's second largest export market and largest import market within the region, is continuing to play a key role in Hong Kong’s economy. Furthermore, in 2021, Hong Kong was the fifth largest destination in Asia for German investors, emphasising the depth of their investment relationships. This robust economic interaction was underscored in 2022 when Hong Kong’s trade balance with Germany reached approximately 1.46 billion US dollars, establishing Germany as one of Hong Kong’s top 10 trading partners.  

The Symposium will bring together thought leaders, policymakers, and academics from both regions to exchange ideas and share best practices towards a more innovative and entrepreneurial future. By drawing on the historical and current economic bonds between Germany and Hong Kong, the event aims to explore how such strong connections can further enhance collaboration across government, industry, and universities to foster impactful innovation and new venture creation.

Past Events
Past Events

About the Symposium

Hong Kong Metropolitan University and Heilbronn University Graduate School are jointly organising a Symposium on “Navigating the Future: AI, Ethics, and Governance in the Age of Innovation” on 23 January 2026 in Hong Kong.

This Symposium will bring together thought leaders, practitioners, and academics to explore the role of AI in shaping industries, education, and governance. Through keynote speeches and panel discussions, the Symposium will address the challenges and opportunities of innovation, ethical frameworks, and human–AI collaboration in the digital age.

Hong Kong Metropolitan University and Heilbronn University Graduate School are jointly organising a Symposium on “Impactful Innovation and new venture creation: The role of government, industry, and the university” this 6 December 2024, in Hong Kong. The event will delve into the essential collaborations necessary to drive sustainable growth and societal progress.

This Symposium is a joint venture between two institutions dedicated to advancing applied sciences education and fostering academic exchange in both regions. Thought leaders, policymakers, and academics are brought together to exchange ideas and share best practices towards a more innovative and entrepreneurial future, with an emphasis on the importance of practical, industry-relevant knowledge to foster impactful innovation and new venture creation.

Keynote Speakers

Professor Matthew Lee

Chair Professor of Digital Business and AI
Associate Dean (Learning and Teaching)
Lee Shau Kee School of Business and Administration
Hong Kong Metropolitan University

Professor Dr Ralf Dillerup

Dean of Heilbronn University Business School
Chair of Heilbronn University Graduate School

Panelists and Moderators

Professor Dr Ulrike Weingart

Professor for Ethics in Leadership and Management
Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences

Ir Dr Kelvin Lo

Director for Technology and Infrastructure Development
Faculty of Education
The University of Hong Kong

Mr Kevin Pereira

Managing Director
Financial Services
Blu Artificial Intelligence, Hong Kong

Mr Daniel Nill

Perspective Professor for AI & Digitalisation in Business Management
Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences

Moderator:

Professor David Ahlstrom

Chair Professor of Management and Associate Dean (Research)
Lee Shau Kee School of Business and Administration
Hong Kong Metropolitan University

Mr Leonard Chan, MH

Founder and CEO
tag.digital Limited

Dr Anthony Lai

Founder
VX Research Limited

Ms Karen Wong

Partner
PwC Hong Kong

Ms Cherilyn Hehl

Research Assistant in Entrepreneurship
Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences

Moderator:

Dr Bella Vongvisitsin

Assistant Professor in Hospitality and Tourism Management
Lee Shau Kee School of Business and Administration
Hong Kong Metropolitan University

Programme

Date: 23 January 2026 (Friday)

Time: 9:30am – 5:30pm (UTC+8)

Venue: A1105, MU Tower, Hung Hom, Hong Kong

Time
Session
9:40
Welcoming
9:45-10:45
Keynote Speech II

Hong Kong Employment Outlook 2030: What Current Trends Suggest

Professor Randy Chiu, MH

Professor Emeritus, Hong Kong Baptist University
10:45-11:15
Break
Time
Session

9:30am

Opening Address

Professor Paul Lam, SBS, JP
President
Hong Kong Metropolitan University

9:40am

Keynote Speech I

Topic: “AI Ethics and Governance – Emerging Consensus and Future Challenges”

Professor Matthew Lee
Chair Professor of Digital Business and AI
Associate Dean (Learning and Teaching)
Lee Shau Kee School of Business and Administration
Hong Kong Metropolitan University

10:40am

Break

11:00am

Keynote Speech II

Topic: “Responsible Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education:
A European Framework for Innovation, Disruption, and Governance”

Professor Dr Ralf Dillerup 
Dean of Heilbronn University Business School
Chair of Heilbronn University Graduate School

12:00nn

Break

2:00pm

Panel Discussion I

Topic: “AI in Business Education: Bridging Challenges and Opportunities”

  • Professor Dr Ulrike Weingart, Professor for Ethics in Leadership and Management, Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences
  • Ir Dr Kelvin Lo, Director for Technology and Infrastructure Development, Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong
  • Mr Kevin Pereira, Managing Director, Financial Services, Blu Artificial Intelligence, Hong Kong
  • Mr Daniel Nill, Perspective Professor for AI & Digitalisation in Business Management, Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences
  • Moderator: Professor David Ahlstrom, Chair Professor of Management and Associate Dean (Research), Lee Shau Kee School of Business and Administration, Hong Kong Metropolitan University

3:30pm

Break

3:45pm

Panel Discussion II

Topic: “The Future of Work: Human–AI Co-Creation and Automation in the Digital Age”

  • Mr Leonard Chan, MH, Founder and CEO, tag.digital Limited
  • Dr Anthony Lai, Founder, VX Research Limited
  • Ms Karen Wong, Partner, PwC Hong Kong
  • Ms Cherilyn Hehl, Research Assistant in Entrepreneurship, Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences
  • Moderator: Dr Bella Vongvisitsin, Assistant Professor in Hospitality and Tourism Management, Lee Shau Kee School of Business and Administration, Hong Kong Metropolitan University

5:15pm

Closing Address

Professor Dr Ralf Dillerup 
Dean of Heilbronn University Business School
Chair of Heilbronn University Graduate School

Registration

Register now for free until 19 January 2026.

Register here
Register here

Supporting Organisations

1000034599

Hong Kong Metropolitan University

Heilbronn University Graduate School

© 2026 by Lee Shau Kee School of Business and Administration, Hong Kong Metropolitan University. All Rights Reserved.