Jung Da-hyun is a reporter at The Korea Times, covering social issues in Korea, including foreign residents, education, environment and politics. Driven by a deep interest in people’s stories, she focuses on investigative and feature reporting through direct interviews and field coverage. She received the Amnesty International Korea Media Award for her “Deepfake Crisis at Schools” series. Reach her at dahyun08@koreatimes.co.kr. Always open to hearing your stories.
Shaping future of higher education in AI era: key agenda of 2025 QS summit
A promotional poster for the QS Higher Ed Summit: Asia Pacific 2025 / Courtesy of Korea University
By Jung Da-hyun
Korea University’s co-hosting of the QS Higher Ed Summit: Asia Pacific 2025 underscores Seoul’s growing status as a premier destination for international students and a rising force in global higher education.
Under the theme of “Advancing Generational Potential: Skills and Partnerships in the Asia Pacific,” the three-day summit will kick off Monday, bringing together more than 2,000 educators, policymakers and industry leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region.
Organized by QS, a leading global higher education analytics firm known for its university rankings and data-driven insights, the summit will offer universities a platform to exchange strategies that enhance international visibility and global reputation.
The event also coincides with Seoul’s recognition as the world’s Best Student City in the latest QS rankings — a milestone that makes this year’s summit particularly symbolic of Korea’s expanding influence in global education.
Graphic by Bae So-young
Former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, QS CEO Jessica Turner and Korea University President Kim Dong-one will deliver opening remarks at the summit.
Following the opening ceremony, the first day will focus on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI), featuring sessions that explore how AI is transforming student recruitment, teaching, learning and university management.
Discussions will also highlight transformational leadership in times of rapid technological and societal change, as universities adapt to shifts in both education and the job market.
A major highlight of the day will be the announcement of the QS World University Rankings: Asia 2026, unveiled during the evening’s welcome dinner, along with an awards ceremony recognizing the region’s top-performing institutions.
Ben Sowter, senior vice president at QS, and Sandeep Sancheti, vice president for academic relations at Elsevier, will lead an in-depth session analyzing the newly released rankings on the second day of the event.
The discussion will unpack key shifts in the data and emerging trends shaping the region’s higher education landscape, offering insight into how institutions can strengthen their global competitiveness and research impact.
K-culture’s growing influence on global higher education will also be among the key themes discussed on the second day, alongside sessions highlighting the emergence of Asia’s higher education powerhouses.
In the session titled “Korean Cool: Pop Culture’s Pull on Higher Education,” speakers will explore how the Korean Wave — from K-pop to K-beauty — has helped make Korea a top study destination, while also examining how universities are balancing academic tradition with the cultural appeal of contemporary Korean trends.
Also on the second day, a session titled “The Asian Tigers: The Roar of a New Big Four?” will examine how Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea and Taiwan are reshaping the global higher education landscape. As these nations strengthen their academic competitiveness and attract more international students, the panel will explore whether Asia is on track to challenge the dominance of traditional study destinations such as the U.S. and U.K.
The final day of the summit will turn the spotlight to inclusivity, reputation and collaboration as central pillars of universities’ long-term success.
The session “Inclusive Institutions; Exceptional Outcomes” will explore how creating equitable and diverse learning environments can lead to stronger institutional performance.
Furthermore, sessions will examine how universities can strengthen their reputation by engaging with broader stakeholders. The “Strategic Collaboration as a Growth Strategy for Higher Education” session will highlight how alliances with industry leaders, edu-tech firms and global networks can drive innovation and resilience.
Discussions will showcase successful collaboration models that help universities expand their global reach, enter new markets and build sustainable pathways.
The summit will conclude with closing remarks by Jeroen Prinsen, executive director of QS APAC, reflecting the key outcomes of the three-day event and highlighting the region’s growing role in shaping the future of global higher education.