Held in hybrid mode, the symposium was organized under a Public Policy Research project led by Prof. Joshua Mok Ka Ho, Provost and Vice-President (Academic and Research) and Director of STS, and funded by the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme of the Hong Kong SAR Government. The event provided a platform for scholarly dialogue on strategies to attract, develop, and retain high-calibre talent in an increasingly competitive global environment.

In his opening remarks, Prof. Mok highlighted the growing strategic importance of internationalization, doctoral talent development, and higher education hub construction in supporting innovation, knowledge production, and regional competitiveness.

Featuring eleven presentations across four thematic sessions, the symposium examined a range of contemporary issues, including university governance, doctoral student mobility, graduate employability, lifelong learning, academic talent circulation, and comparative education hub development. Distinguished speakers included Prof. Angela Yung-Chi Hou and Prof. Sheng-Ju Chan, whose presentations contributed valuable insights into higher education reform, governance, and talent development in Asia.

Particular attention was given to the attraction and retention of international doctoral talent, with discussions highlighting how Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia are leveraging funding schemes, immigration pathways, research opportunities, and innovation ecosystems to strengthen their competitiveness and long-term talent development. The discussions underscored the growing importance of doctoral talent as a strategic resource for innovation, knowledge production, and sustainable development.

Concluding the symposium, Prof. Joshua Mok Ka Ho reflected on the rich discussions generated throughout the day and emphasized the value of collaborative research in informing future higher education and talent policies. He noted that as competition for global talent intensifies, stronger partnerships among universities, governments, and industry stakeholders will be essential to building sustainable and inclusive higher education ecosystems.

The symposium reaffirmed HSUHK's commitment to advancing internationally relevant and policy-oriented research. By bringing together scholars, policymakers, and practitioners, the event fostered meaningful dialogue on the future of higher education, talent development, and global academic collaboration in Asia and beyond.