EdUHK and Southampton Education School Co-host International EDI in Education Conference: A First in Hong Kong

The Department of Education Policy and Leadership (EPL) at The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK), in collaboration with the School of Education at the University of Southampton, UK, hosted an international conference on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in Education on 4 May 2024: the first of its kind in Hong Kong.

The Conference entitled, “Impact for Educational Equity: Dialogues and Pathways for Diversity and Inclusion”, is part of EdUHK’s year-long 30th Anniversary celebrations. It aims to elevate research, teaching and scholarship in policy and leadership for the advancement of EDI in education.

There were almost 100 participants at the conference, which was the result of the strategic collaboration between EPL and the School of Education at the University of Southampton, which began last year.

Participants included colleagues from the Hong Kong Education Bureau, the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC), schools, corporations, NGOs, civil society organisations, the media, and colleagues and students from EdUHK, as well as sister universities in Hong Kong and Macau.  A wide range of participants was invited, and an equitable and inclusive space was provided to ensure meaningful dialogue, sharing and learning.

The opening ceremony was officiated by Dr Lu Jiafang, Acting Head of EPL; Ms Linda Lam, Chairperson at EOC in Hong Kong; Professor Chris Brown, Head of Southampton Education School; and Dr Miron Bhowmik, Assistant Professor of EPL and an EDI Specialist at the Faculty of Education and Human Development (FEHD), who also convened the Conference. EdUHK President Professor John Lee Chi-Kin welcomed all participants and highlighted the importance of the conference, as well as explaining EdUHK’s contributions to advancing EDI via research, teaching and service. EOC Chairperson Ms Lam reaffirmed the commission’s role and commitment to promoting EDI ideals in Hong Kong.

The conference included two keynote speeches and four panel discussions featuring speakers including overseas scholars, a UNESCO official, and Hong Kong scholars and practitioners, sparking meaningful dialogue. The conference organisers were grateful to the team of postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers for their support at the conference.

During the closing ceremony, both institutions affirmed their commitment to continuing their collaboration for the advancement of EDI in education.