27/04/2026
Prof. Dr. Yusuf Leblebici participated as an invited speaker in the Times Higher Education (THE) Asia Universities Summit that was organized in Hong Kong on 22-24 April 2026. The goals of the summit meeting, attended by more than 600 participants from around the globe, were focused on how Asia is redefining progress – from breakthrough science and entrepreneurial energy to scalable solutions for climate, health, and urban resilience, alongside its growing power in influencing global standards for AI, education, and the future of innovation in an age of disruption.
Speaking at the Presidents’ Leadership Session entitled “Silicon corridors and spice routes: Can Asia’s innovation belts redefine global tech leadership?”, Prof. Leblebici emphasized the importance of student mobility and internationalization in building effective and productive cross-border partnerships between research institutions in Asia, and how universities can act as long-term anchors rather than short-term contributors in this process. He also highlighted the increasing presence on Sabancı University students and faculty members in Asian science and technology networks, as more and more students prefer to visit leading Asian universities and research institutions as a significant part of their student exchange experiences.
Within the frame of the THE Asia Universities Summit, Prof. Leblebici has also met privately with numerous leaders of key Asian universities, including Professor Nancy Ip, President of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), Professor Tony Chan, Former President of HKUST, Professor Jin-Guang Teng, President of Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Professor Chee Yoon Yue, Dean of Graduate Studies at the City University of Hong Kong, Professor Le Mai Lan, President of Vin University of Vietnam, and Professor Waqar Ahmad, President of Nazarbayev University of Kazakhstan. The meetings will lead towards concrete steps for academic collaboration between Asian partner institutions and Sabancı University.
