On 14 March 2025, the School of Transdisciplinary Studies (STS), in collaboration with the Graduate School (GS) of The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong (HSUHK), cp-launched the International Classroom Series, a new seminar platform for global dialogue on climate, wellbeing, and sustainability.

The inaugural seminar, “Internationalisation of Higher Education: Help or Hindrance to Climate Action?”, was delivered by Professor Tristan McCowan from University College London and attracted faculty, students, and sustainability practitioners.

Opening the event, Professor Joshua Mok Ka Ho, Provost and Vice-President (Academic and Research), Director of STS, and Dean of GS, welcomed Professor McCowan and highlighted the series as a practical step toward uniting diverse perspectives and generating actionable ideas.

In his presentation, Professor McCowan outlined three main dimensions of higher-education internationalisation and its global dynamics. He explained that greater connectivity among universities can foster sustainability through shared knowledge and joint research, yet it can also heighten carbon emissions because academic mobility, cross-border projects, and international partnerships rely on extensive travel and other resource-intensive activities.

A lively Q&A session followed, with participants discussing how universities can retain the benefits of global collaboration while reducing their environmental footprint.

The International Classroom Series will continue throughout the year, welcoming scholars and practitioners from around the world to address pressing sustainability issues through an interdisciplinary lens.

For details on upcoming sessions, please visit the series webpage.