The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) Conference of Executive Heads 2011 was held in April at the University.

The three-day conference, titled 'Higher Education in Hard Times - Risk, Reputation, Reform: Developing new business in a changing environment', was organized by the ACU and co-hosted by three local ACU member universities including HKU, the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and the Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK).

Over 150 vice-chancellors and representatives from 127 universities and institutions, representing 22 countries and six continents, attended the event.

HKU Vice-Chancellor Professor Lap-Chee Tsui extended his warm welcome to participants on behalf of fellow local members.

"ACU is one of the oldest and largest inter-university networks in the world, and is well placed to offer its expertise and experience in facilitating and fostering collaboration among universities of diverse cultural and geopolitical background," said Professor Tsui.

Professor Jamil Salmi, Tertiary Education Co-ordinator of World Bank, shared in his keynote speech, 'Higher Education in the 21st Century: Opportunities and Challenges', his views on the future of higher education, elaborating on issues including the importance of knowledge, changing education needs and practices, and the implications to developing countries. Another 16 speakers from UK, Hong Kong, Australia, Malaysia, South Africa and India also shared their thoughts on issues such as creating and retaining global identity, rankings, university management, strategic partnership with business and industry and its objects and challenges. The second and third day of the conference were held at CUHK and OUHK respectively.