SPEAKERS

Keynote Speakers

Assoc. Prof. Di Zou

 The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Prof. Zou Di is an Associate Professor in the Department of English and Communication and the Faculty of Humanities at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. She holds a PhD in English from City University of Hong Kong and a TESOL certificate from Trinity College London. Her research expertise lies in educational technology, language education, computer-assisted language learning (CALL), game-based language learning, and artificial intelligence (AI) in language education. With a strong research focus on educational technology in language education, Professor Zou has led and collaborated on over 20 research projects. She has published more than 220 research papers, primarily in SSCI- and Scopus-indexed journals, including Computers & Education, British Journal of Educational Technology, Computer Assisted Language Learning, Language Learning & Technology, and Systems. Her work has had a significant impact in the field, with a Google Scholar citation count of 11939 (as of July 2025), an h-index of 52, and an i10-index of 107. She has been recognized as one of the World's Top 2% Scientists by Stanford University for four consecutive years (2021–2024). Several of her papers in Computers & Education and Computer Assisted Language Learning rank among the Most Cited Articles in their respective journals. Professor Zou's contributions to teaching and research have earned her numerous awards. She has received the Excellent Paper Award from the International Conference on Blended Learning and the International Conference on Open and Innovative Education. Her innovative teaching projects have been recognized internationally, winning the Gold Medal and Special Awards at the International Invention Innovation Competition in Canada (iCAN) and the Silver Medal at the International Innovation and Invention Competition (IIIC) in Taiwan. Beyond her research and teaching achievements, Professor Zou plays an active role in academic publishing. She serves as an Associate Editor for Computer & Education (SSCI IF=8.9), Computers & Education: X Reality, and previously for the Australasian Journal of Education Technology (SSCI IF=4.1) (2021–2022). She is also an editorial board member for Education Technology & Society (SSCI IF=4.7) and the International Journal of Mobile Learning and Organisation. Additionally, she has led special issues for several prestigious journals, including Computers in Human Behavior (SSCI IF=9.0), Systems (SSCI IF=4.9), Education Technology & Society (SSCI IF=4.7), and Computers & Education: Artificial Intelligence (Scopus CiteScore=16.8). Professor Zou’s extensive research, editorial contributions, and dedication to technological advancements in language education continue to shape the field and inspire scholars worldwide.

Assoc. Prof. Song-Kyoo (Amang) Kim

Macao Polytechnic University, China

Prof. Song-Kyoo (Amang) Kim (Senior Member, IEEE) received the M.S. degree in computer engineering and the Ph.D. degree in operations research from the Florida Institute of Technology, in 1999 and 2002, respectively. He is currently an Associate Professor of computing program with the Macao Polytechnic University. He used to be an Associate Professor of several United Arab Emirates universities. Before moving to the Gulf Region, he was a Core Faculty Member of the Asian Institute of Management, providing courses in technology, innovation, and operations. Before his academic career, he was a Technical Manager with the Mobile Communications Division, Samsung Electronics, for more than ten years and mainly dealt with technology management in the information technology industry. He has been an Invited Speaker at many international conferences concerning technology management, innovation process, operations research, and data sciences.

Prof. Li-fang Zhang

The University of Hong Kong

Li fang ZHANG is Professor of Psychology and Education in the Faculty of Education at The University of Hong Kong. She has been chairing the University’s Human Research Ethics Committee since 2020, was Associate Dean (Research Higher Degrees) (2007–2010), and led the Division of Learning, Development, and Diversity (2013–2019).
A world-renowned authority on intellectual styles, Professor Zhang has also conducted research and published papers in other academic domains, including giftedness, creativity, student development in higher education, teacher education, and the academic profession. Professor Zhang has (co)authored nearly 160 peer reviewed international journal and encyclopedic articles and has published numerous academic book chapters and books, including two single authored monographs with Cambridge University Press – The Malleability of Intellectual Styles (Zhang, 2013) and The Value of Intellectual Styles (Zhang, 2017). She is editor in chief of the Oxford Encyclopedia of Educational Psychology and an associate editor of Educational Psychology. She also serves as a consulting editor for the Journal of Educational Psychology and sits on several editorial boards in psychology and education, including Educational Psychology Review and Thinking Skills and Creativity. She has also served as an ad hoc reviewer for over 50 peer-reviewed international journals, including Cognition and Instruction, European Journal of Personality, Higher Education, Learning and Instruction, Learning and Individual Differences, Personality and Individual Differences, and Psychological Bulletin.
 

Invited Speaker

Adoption of Digital Platforms and AI in the public sector: An Exploratory Study

Abstract: Public sector organizations have traditionally been viewed as lethargic in addressing the needs of customers/citizens. Human intervention in the public sector procurement processes leading to irregularities and use of discretionary powers have been identified as conventional aspects of public sector organisations in a host of countries. Interestingly, these irregularities have in fact been the primary justification for the advocacy of digital platforms and AI in public sector institutions. This research hence is primarily focused on two segments. The first is the review of rhetoric presented by the public sector globally and, the second segment focusses on views of public sector officials and researchers in selected countries to ascertain the uptake of digital platforms. Because of the nature of this research, a qualitative approach has been used, distributing survey questionnaires though academic contacts in 6 countries in Europe, Africa and Asia. The findings reflect the broad adoption digital platforms with a focus on the use of widely available AI platforms. A majority has adopted tailored applications for the delivery of services such as education student loans and e-commerce and public procurement. A majority has responded positively to the questions of improved speed, efficiency and accessibility of services. Customers and service recipients have expressed positive change. Much of the challenges focussed on raising awareness and the need for AI training, limited funding, and internet availability and AI-digital skills gaps. An interesting finding has been a response on lack of human contact especially where public sector is involved. While AI can improve efficiency and speed up services, some citizens—especially older adults or those with limited digital skills—still prefer speaking with a real person. Complex or sensitive concerns also often require empathy, judgment, and personalized assistance that technology cannot fully replace. As stated by one respondent “the challenge is finding the right balance between automation and maintaining accessible, human-centered public services".