Inaugural Roundtable on Dialogue of University Continuing Education Schools

Consensus Statement for

Inaugural Roundtable on Dialogue of University Continuing Education Schools
Held on 23-24 April 2026 in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

I   Preamble

We, a collective of leaders, educators and administrators representing 15 universities and higher education institutions (HEIs) from 10 countries – Egypt, Finland, India, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe, gathered at the Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) for a two-day Roundtable to undertake discussions on the opportunities and challenges shaping the Continuing Education/Lifelong Learning sector and the implementation of lifelong learning policy in universities. We acknowledge with deep appreciation the perspectives, insights and experiences contributed by each participant, which enriched our dialogue and fostered a spirit of collaboration. Through this global exchange forum, we reached consensus on three core areas that guide our ongoing efforts to advance the Continuing Education/Lifelong Learning sector and to promote university-wide lifelong education.

II   Core Areas of Consensus

 Consensus 1 : Embracing Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Integration

• Building on the pioneering experiences shared by the UK and Finnish representatives, we affirm the critical importance of aligning the Continuing Education/Lifelong Learning sector with global technological trends through the integration of AI and comprehensive digital strategies. This alignment is essential to cultivate flexible, inclusive and future-ready learning environments.
• We commit to adapting innovative modes of credentialing and expanding digital delivery, so as to equip learners with digital literacy and technical competencies required to thrive in a technology-driven workplace.

Consensus 2 : Strengthening the Skills Agenda through Strategic Partnerships

• Inspired by Singapore's SkillsFuture initiative and enriched by models from Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Egypt and Zimbabwe, we underscore the significance of forging partnerships to advance the global skills agenda. Such partnerships could enable the Continuing Education/Lifelong Learning sector to remain responsive to evolving workforce demands and societal priorities.
• We support embedding lifelong learning as a central pillar within the strategic directions of both public and private universities, as exemplified by practices in the UK and South Korea.

Consensus 3 : Promoting Lifelong Learning for Social Good and Sustainability

• Drawing on the experiences of India and South Africa, we affirm that adult non-formal learning should extend beyond professional competencies to embrace cultural, social and sustainability
• We concur that the Continuing Education/Lifelong Learning sector could promote all-rounded citizenship, empowering individuals to contribute meaningfully to social cohesion, peaceful coexistence, cultural enrichment and sustainable development.

 III   Collective Commitment to Professionalising the Continuing Education/Lifelong Learning Sector

 Having reached consensus on the three core areas, we commit to professionalising the Continuing Education/Lifelong Learning sector through collaborative initiatives.

• We intend to jointly explore a series of capacity building exercises and practice sharing sessions tailored for personnel working in the Continuing Education/Lifelong Learning sector worldwide.
• By leveraging the diverse and solid experiences in Continuing Education/Lifelong Learning schools and HEIs across our global network, we are interested in exploring the joint initiatives.

IV   Way Forward

 This Roundtable marks the beginning of a sustained global dialogue and a collaborative journey. Guided by the principle of 'inclusiveness, innovation and impact', we will continue to co-create the future and drive the growth of the Continuing Education/Lifelong Learning sector at large while supporting our respective universities and HEIs in their transformation to contribute more to global common good, peace and sustainable development.

Event Highlights

2026.04.22 PRE-CONFERENCE

2026.04.23 DAY 1 CONFERENCE (Plenary)

2026.04.24 DAY 2 CONFERENCE (Roundtable)

Photo Album

2026.04.22 PRE-CONFERENCE

2026.04.23 DAY 1 CONFERENCE (Plenary)

2026.04.24 DAY 2 CONFERENCE (Roundtable)

Click here to download handbook

Opening Remarks : Prof Jonathan Michie (UALL Chair)

Keynote Address 1 : Ms Zhanna Uakasovna Yessinbayeva (Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Higher and Postgraduate Education, Kazakhstan)

Keynote Address 2 : Prof Jari Multisilta (ARENE and Satakunta University of Applied Sciences)

Plenary Speaker 1 : Dr M.K. Biju (Mahatma Gandhi University, India)
Topic: Lifelong Learning for the Social Good – A Reflection from Mahatma Gandhi University Kerala

Plenary Speaker 3 : Ms Leila Guerra (London School of Economics and Political Science, United Kingdom)
Topic: Lifelong Learning and AI Strategies

Plenary Speaker 4 : Prof Mahmoud Allam (American University in Cairo, Egypt)
Topic: Experience Sharing from The American University in Cairo's (AUC) School of Continuing Education

Plenary Speaker 5 : Dr Medeé Rall (University of Cape Town, South Africa)
Topic: Adult Non-formal Learning: A South African University Model

Plenary Speaker 6 : Prof Dongil Kim (Seoul National University, South Korea)
Topic: Challenges and Future Directions for Inbound and Outbound University Extension through Institutional Lifelong Learning: The Case of SNU's Extension College

Plenary Speaker 7 : Prof Timothy Chan (SIM Global Education, Singapore)
Topic: Singapore's SkillsFuture Initiative: Lessons in Scaling Lifelong Learning through Strategic Partnerships

Plenary Speaker 8 : Dr Fidella Tiew (Curtin University Malaysia, Sarawak)
Topic: Strengthening Skills Through Partnerships and Training: Perspectives from Malaysia & Sarawak

Plenary Speaker 9 : Eng Chiedza Masanganise (Bulawayo Polytechnic, Zimbabwe)
Topic: Responding to the Skills Agenda: A Zimbabwean Perspective

Plenary Speaker 10 : Dr Zhailagul Sagyndykova (Ualikhanov University, Kazakhstan)
Topic: The Model of Lifelong Learning in Kazakhstan: The Experience of UALIKHANOV University

Plenary Speaker 12 : Ms Betty Yue (Imperial College London, United Kingdom)
Topic: Learning Without Limits: A Spectrum of Opportunity Across Every