RUNDOWN
12:00     Registration
12:30     Opening Remarks
12:35     Lunch
13:10     Fireside Chat
13:55     Closing Remarks
14:00     End

ASHK Members Ticket: HKD 580
Non-Member Ticket: HKD 680

Asia Society Hong Kong Center (ASHK) is proud to present a dialogue between Sunil Kumar, president of Tufts University, and Ronnie C. Chan, Chairman of Asia Society Hong Kong Center, on the continued global relevance and impact of American higher education.

Amid international concern about America’s political and social stability, does the United States remain a desirable and competitive country for higher education?  How are American universities rising to the challenges of this era and working to remain relevant? What makes the American higher education system among the best in the world? Join ASHK to hear from Mr. Kumar about his vision for Tufts University and his views on the state of American higher education.

Sunil Kumar is the president of Tufts University and assumed office on July 1, 2023. He is the 14th president of Tufts and the first person of color to hold the office. He also serves as a tenured professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Tufts University’s School of Engineering.

At Tufts, Kumar is strongly committed to preserving and enhancing the emphasis on a liberal arts undergraduate education within a tight-knit and student-centered environment while also enabling conditions that foster cutting-edge teaching and world-class research through Tufts’ many graduate and professional schools. To achieve these ends, he has introduced five broad pillars as strategic aspirations for Tufts in the near future: educate responsible leaders for the future, provide transformative student experiences, increase the university’s research footprint, broaden the definition of what it means to be a student, and give back to the community and society.

Prior to Tufts, Kumar served as the 15th provost of Johns Hopkins University from 2016-2023 and as Dean of the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business, as well as the George Pratt Shultz Professor of Operations Management from 2011-2016. Before joining the Booth School of Business, he spent 14 years on the faculty of the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, where he was the Fred H. Merrill Professor of Operations, Information and Technology and served as the senior associate dean for academic affairs, overseeing the school’s MBA program and leading faculty groups in marketing and organizational behavior.

Kumar’s research includes performance evaluation and control of manufacturing systems, service operations, and communications networks. In particular, he studies systems affected by stochastic variability via mathematical models. He also studies application of optimization methods and control theory to managerial problems.

Born in India, Kumar received a Master of Engineering degree in computer science and automation from the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore, India and a Bachelor of Engineering degree from Mangalore University in Surathkal, India. He earned a PhD in electrical engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Ronnie C. Chan is the Honorary Chair of Hang Lung Group Limited and its subsidiary Hang Lung Properties Limited, both publicly listed in Hong Kong. Hang Lung expanded into mainland China in 1992, developing, owning and managing world-class commercial complexes in key tier one and tier two cities. In 1986, Mr. Chan co-founded Morningside, a diversified investment group engaged in private equity and venture capital investments in North America, Asia, and Europe. He founded and chairs the China Heritage Fund, and is a cofounding Director of The Forbidden City Cultural Heritage Conservation Foundation in Beijing. Mr. Chan is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Chair Emeritus of the Asia Society and Chairman of its Hong Kong Center, and Co-Founder and Chairman of the Centre for Asian Philanthropy and Society. He serves or has served on the governing or advisory bodies of several think tanks and universities, including: Peterson Institute for International Economics, World Economic Forum, East-West Center, Pacific Council on International Policy, Eisenhower Fellowships, The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation, University of Southern California, Indian School of Business, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Yale University, Tsinghua University, and Fudan University.

REGULAR MENU

Cobb Salad
Bacon, Cherry Tomatoes, Guacamole, Chicken, Ranch Dressing

*****

Pan-Seared Scotch Salmon Fillet
Capsicum & Chorizo Ragu, Roasted Potatoes, Paprika Aioli

*****

Mango Mousse & Passion Fruit Jelly
Served with Aloe Vera & Mango

Coffee / Tea 

VEGETARIAN MENU

Heirloom Tomato & Black Figs
Rocket, Beets, Balsamic Pearl, Shaved Parmigiano

*****

Pumpkin & U.S. Kale Risotto
Hazelnut, Sweet Onion, Mascarpone

*****

Mango Mousse & Passion Fruit Jelly
Served with Aloe Vera & Mango

Coffee / Tea 

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The views and opinions expressed are those of the speakers and participants and, unless expressly stated to the contrary, do not reflect the opinion, position or official policy of Asia Society Hong Kong, its members, or its committees. Asia Society Hong Kong does not endorse or approve and assumes no responsibility for the content of the information presented.