PolyU hosts virtual International University Social Responsibility Summit to share actionable insights and chart the role of higher education in a sustainable future

The International University Social Responsibility (USR) Summit 2022, themed “Education and Action for a Sustainable Future”, was hosted virtually by PolyU and the University Social Responsibility Network (USRN) from 16 to 18 November 2022. 

This biennial USRN flagship event brought together from around the world 140 speakers and over 640 online participants, including higher education leaders, academics, students and practitioners to exchange ideas, foster partnerships among universities and advance the global USR movement. 

In addition to the focus on education and the global community, this years’ USR Summit further broadened its scope to attract presentations from science and technology experts in order to mobilise all-round collaborative research to make our planet more sustainable, and our communities more advanced and inclusive. 

Prof. Jin-Guan Teng, President of PolyU, Prof. Ben Young, Vice President (Student and Global Affairs)  and Prof. Daniel Shek, Associate Vice President (Undergraduate Programme) kicked off the Summit, which was organised in conjunction with the 4th International Conference on Service-Learning. 

President Teng addressed speakers and guests at the joint welcoming session of the International USR Summit 2022 and the 4th International Conference on Service-Learning,  commenting that the joint event was timely as the world is currently facing many challenges that require universities to promote social responsibility in order to make the world a better place. “We promote social responsibility not only in education but also in our research endeavours” said President Teng. “Be challenged and inspired by what you learn from the community and turn those findings into research ideas and projects. Bring the research back into the community where it can do the most good.” President Teng concluded his welcoming address to the educators and researchers.

As the Chair of the International USR Summit 2022 Organising Committee, Prof. Ben Young believed the Summit to be an event where participants reflect on the USRN’s trajectory and an occasion to celebrate accomplishments and partnership. “The light attracts us, the vision gathers us from around the globe, the responsibility empowers us and guides us to co-create a sustainable future for the betterment of all beings on this planet” said Prof. Young.  

The three-day Summit comprised various plenary and parallel sessions which delved into six sub-themes:  Assessing and Reinforcing USR Impacts; Collaborative Research to Address Global Challenges; Driving Institutional Changes for USR; Education to Cultivate Social Responsibility; Elevating Sustainable Development through Regional and Global Collaboration; and Social Innovation for Inclusive Communities.

Click here for the USR Summit 2022 event playback.

About the University Social Responsibility Network 

About the International USR Summit 2022

The International USR Summit 2022: Education and Action for a Sustainable Future, hosted virtually by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the University Social Responsibility Network, aimed to nurture and guide generations of new leaders who will drive social change, and translate innovative ideas into concrete steps towards a better, inclusive and sustainable future.  The USR Summit 2022 was organised in conjunction with the 4th International Conference on Service-Learning.  Service-Learning is moving into a whole new stage of institutional commitment and societal impact.  
USR Summit 2022 website: https://usrsummit2022.org/