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7th ASEF Higher Education Innovation Laboratory (ASEFInnoLab7) Conference

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Published:
21 Aug 2026

7th ASEF Higher Education Innovation Laboratory (ASEFInnoLab7) Conference

Published:
21 Aug 2026

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The ASEFInnoLab7 Conference

The 7th ASEF Higher Education Innovation Laboratory (ASEFInnoLab7) Conference will bring together higher education professionals, experts, academics and researchers from across Asia and Europe to explore “The Role of Universities in Advancing AI for Good“.

Established in 2021, ASEFInnoLab is a design-thinking laboratory that enables higher education stakeholders to exchange knowledge, build capacity and collaboratively address global challenges. Its seventh edition explores how universities can help ensure that artificial intelligence is researched, governed and applied for the common good.

At the heart of ASEFInnoLab7 is the White Paper Lab, where participants have been collaboratively developing strategic papers outlining pathways for higher education institutions to align AI research, development and deployment with societal needs, ethical principles and long-term public value.

The ASEFInnoLab7 Conference marks an important milestone in this process, bringing participants together to present and refine their draft white papers, exchange feedback with peers and experts, explore emerging perspectives on AI and higher education, and strengthen Asia-Europe collaboration.

This event is co-organised by the Asia-Europe Foundation and the University of Nottingham, with strong support from partner organisations Fudan University, the International Research Centre on Artificial Intelligence, the International Association of Universities, the UN Internet Governance Forum, the ASEM Education Secretariat, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), and the Asia-Europe for Artificial Intelligence Network.

When // Who

📅 24–28 August 2026

The conference will take place across the University of Nottingham’s campuses and facilities, bringing participants into an immersive university environment for dialogue, collaborative white paper development, expert sessions and peer learning.

The programme begins with registration and a welcome dinner on 24 August at 18:00 BST and concludes with the closing session on 28 August at 18:00 BST. 

Have a look at the latest version of the full programme and learn more about this edition’s key milestone event. Access the participants and resource persons booklet to get to know our cohort and what they bring to the conference.

Full Programme
Participants & Resource Persons Booklet

Where

The University of Nottingham

The University of Nottingham (UON) is the host institution for the ASEFInnoLab7 Conference and a key partner in bringing this edition of ASEFInnoLab to the United Kingdom.

A leading public research university and member of the Russell Group, the University of Nottingham is renowned for its research, innovation and interdisciplinary education. Its diverse academic community spans disciplines including the humanities, sciences, engineering, business and health.

The university’s mission emphasises excellence in education, research, and civic engagement, with a strong international outlook and commitment to improving lives worldwide.

During the conference, participants will learn from experts from Asia and Europe and hear more about University of Nottingham’s work on socially responsible and beneficial tech.

Meet the Speakers and White Paper Leads

The ASEFInnoLab7 Conference brings together an international roster of academics, researchers, higher education leaders, AI experts and practitioners from across Asia and Europe.

Over the course of the programme week, our resource persons will contribute to keynote talks, expert discussions, white paper presentations, feedback sessions and conversations on the role of universities in advancing AI for the common good. 

The conversations in Nottingham will continue beyond the conference.

Following months of collaborative research, discussion and peer feedback culminating in the conference, the ASEFInnoLab7 White Paper teams will refine their work into a set of strategic papers exploring how universities can advance AI for the common good.

The white papers will articulate practical and forward-looking pathways for higher education institutions to align AI development and deployment with societal needs, ethical principles and long-term public value.

We aim to launch the white paper series this coming November 2026.

Explore the InnoLab Journey

The ASEFInnoLab7 Conference in Nottingham, UK is one part of a wider ASEFInnoLab7 journey.

Last June, it ran the Trailblazers Webinar Series, which explored how universities can respond to AI as both a technological and societal transformation. The series featured experts from the ASEFInnoLab community of practice, network of experts, and partner organisations, who shared insights, good practices, and emerging approaches from across Asia and Europe on how universities can leverage AI for the common good.

Explore the Trailblazers Webinar Series

The previous edition, ASEFInnoLab6, explored the theme “Universities’ Role in Developing Skills for an AI-Powered Future” through an online programme and a three-part conference series held in Shanghai, Manila and Košice.

Across its activities, ASEFInnoLab6 brought together higher education professionals, academics and researchers to exchange ideas, develop collaborative outputs and explore responsible, inclusive and human-centred approaches to AI in higher education.

Explore ASEF InnoLab6
Platforms like ASEFInnoLab are incredibly valuable because they bring together voices from very different contexts to learn from one another and build shared solutions to common problems. When it comes to AI, no single country or institution has all the answers. ASEF creates spaces where we can learn from each other, compare experiences, and define shared goals for using AI responsibly and ensure AI benefits people everywhere. It's not just about technology—it's about shaping a common, human-centred vision for AI—that ensures everyone can benefit from technological progress. Higher education must help students understand the social, ethical, and human rights implications of technology, not just its technical side.
Elizabeth Kasa-Malksoo
Elizabeth Kasa-MalksooUniversity of Tartu, Estonia
ASEFInnolab6 provided me with key insights as to how many countries around the world are dealing with the advancement of AI in key areas of our lives such as education and work. As governments and educational institutions scramble to keep up with the rapid deployment of algorithms that have changed the way we do things, the conference provided a tangible means for everyone to stay grounded in the fact that we always have to keep humans in the loop. While AI and IT infrastructures may provide ways and means to make things easier for each of us, we need to remember that the connectedness and connectivity we have as people are the things that a machine can never replicate.
Judel Roman
Judel RomanNational Teachers College, Philippines
Digital transformation has emphasised the importance of lifelong learning. The advent of AI stresses the need for upskilling and reskilling as a strategic imperative for maintaining workforce relevance and economic competitiveness. Being part of the ASEFInnoLab6 Micro-credential Programmes Track helped me become a better educator by reinforcing my capabilities to design and implement courses able to help those that look for flexible, focused, and competency-based learning opportunities that align directly with industry demands.
Henrique O'NEILL
Henrique O'NEILLUniversity Institute of Lisbon, Portugal
The ASEFInnoLab6 Conference in Košice broadened my understanding of how different countries and cultures approach AI, education, and governance. Interacting with participants from Asia and Europe highlighted both shared challenges and diverse perspectives. My experience in Slovakia was particularly valuable, as it offered insights into how countries actively engage in innovation, policy, and international collaboration. Overall, the conference strengthened my appreciation for cross-cultural learning and cooperation.
Fernaz Narin Nur
Fernaz Narin NurDaffodil International University, Bangladesh
The ASEFInnoLab6 Conference in Manila showed me how creativity and innovation blossom when people from different cultures and backgrounds come together. Seeing so many passionate individuals share their ideas and work collaboratively was truly inspiring. It reminded me that welcoming diverse perspectives not only broadens our understanding but also sparks fresh and creative solutions. This experience has encouraged me to approach my own work with more openness to collaboration and teamwork, knowing that good projects often comes from collective effort.
Shafiee Yakob
Shafiee YakobUniversiti Brunei Darussalam
ASEFInnoLab6 turned into one of the most enriching experiences I've ever had. The Shanghai Conference reminded me that even with our diverse backgrounds and disciplines, we can work together toward the shared goal of advancing scientific knowledge responsibly. Beyond improving our papers, the conference gave us meaningful conversations, laughter, and lasting friendships. I'm deeply grateful and proud to be part of my cohort.
Laiza Limpin
Laiza LimpinMindanao State University - General Santos, Philippines
In ASEFInnoLab6, we experienced how naturally our teams created synergy—between individuals in each team and also between teams. The differences didn't divide us, they simply added more layers of perspective. What really mattered was the professionalism, the curiosity, and the drive each person brought to the table. That mix created a feeling of building something genuinely new, while also feeling unmistakably part of a community. It's rare to experience that kind of belonging in an international setting, and it's something I'm taking forward.
Irina Dimitrova
Irina DimitrovaHuman Resources Development Center, Bulgaria
Participating at the ASEFInnolab6 Conference in Košice clearly opened my eyes in the urgency to have more cooperation, exchange and exchanges when in comes to shape the future of higher education and particularly in the context of the fast-changing AI environment. Having various actors around the table, including students and youth leaders, universities, and different organisations, offered an essential platform to think together and to pave the way for long-term collaboration.
Leila Benabdallah
Leila BenabdallahOCEANS Network
The most empowering moment at the ASEFInnolab6 Conference in Košice was realising that the future belongs to 'bridge-builders,' not gatekeepers. During one of the keynote and subsequent panel, I realised that the AI innovation buildout happens through human-centered collaboration.
Ram B Ramachandran
Ram B RamachandranOP Jindal Global University, India

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