Seminar (1): Navigating Excellence in Transnational Engineering Education: The QMUL-BUPT Joint Programme Experience
Speaker: Prof. Michael CHAI, Professor of Internet of Things, Queen Mary University of London
Abstract:
As global demand grows for engineering graduates equipped with both academic excellence and international perspectives, transnational education (TNE) plays a vital role in redefining the boundaries of global higher education. This talk presents the strategic vision, evolution, and implementation of the Joint Programme (JP)/ Joint Educational Institute (JEI) between Queen Mary University of London and Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications (QMUL-BUPT), a flagship model of collaborative engineering education.
Since its inception, the QMUL-BUPT JP has been committed to delivering a world-class, research-informed curriculum that bridges Eastern and Western educational philosophies while upholding rigorous UK academic standards. The programme not only cultivates technical expertise but also fosters global competence, bilingual communication skills, and intercultural understanding. Central to its success are shared academic governance, faculty exchange, quality assurance mechanisms, and ongoing innovation in teaching and assessment.
This talk will highlight how the programme has evolved to meet the changing needs of students and industry. Attendees will gain insights into the opportunities and challenges of sustaining excellence in TNE and the strategic leadership required to foster impactful global academic partnerships.
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Seminar (2): Shaping AI-Ready Graduates through Higher Education Innovation
Speaker: Prof. Yue CHEN, Professor of Telecommunications Engineering, Queen Mary University
Abstract:
As Artificial Intelligence (AI) transforms the global workforce and the landscape of higher education, preparing students with AI competence has become both a strategic imperative and a pedagogical challenge. This talk introduces AICoDE, a structured and human-centred framework, recently developed and implemented at Queen Mary University of London and Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications (QMUL-BUPT) joint transnational education programmes.
AICoDE is designed to formally embed AI competence development into the engineering curriculum. It pursues three key objectives: to leverage AI’s transformative potential to enrich teaching and learning; to mitigate the risks associated with its misuse or unethical application; and to equip graduates with the critical knowledge and skills required to thrive in increasingly AI-driven professional environments.
A distinctive feature of AICoDE is its 3A assessment strategy, which scaffolds AI integration in education while safeguarding academic integrity and promoting critical thinking. This talk will also outline the framework’s implementation through curriculum and assessment mapping. Attendees will gain strategic insights and actionable guidance on embedding AI literacy and competence into higher education curricula, with relevance across both institutional and international contexts.
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Speakers’ Biography:
Prof. Michael CHAI is Professor of Internet of Things at the School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science, Queen Mary University of London. He serves as the Queen Mary Director of TNE in partnership with BUPT in Beijing. His research began in smart Internet of Things and wireless communications, and has since expanded to include pedagogical scholarship aimed at enhancing student learning and academic development in Higher Education and transnational contexts.
Prof. Yue CHEN is Professor of Telecommunications Engineering, Director of Scholarship, and Senior Advisor for Transnational Education at the School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science, Queen Mary University of London. She is an accomplished academic whose work bridges technical expertise and educational innovation, with a focus on wireless communications, mobile edge computing, and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. Her current research and leadership activities centre on active learning, curriculum enhancement, the pedagogical integration of AI in higher education, and the advancement of transnational education.
Organiser: Prof. Yuanwei LIU, Professor, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, HKU
All are welcome!
