Welcome to the International University Social Responsibility (USR) Summit 2022.  This biennial flagship event of the University Social Responsibility Network (USRN), a global alliance comprises of 20 universities sharing the same mission, steers global discussion and advocacy for broader social responsibility in higher education.

Ten years ago in 2012, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) organised the first USR Summit themed “Relationship between University Development and Social Responsibility in an Era of Globalization” to embark our journey in advocating University Social Responsibility.  In 2015, PolyU joined hands with eleven renowned universities around the globe to establish the USRN to spearhead USR with impact to make the world a better place.  Since then, USRN has introduced different student engagement, research and capacity building programmes stepwise to promote and advance the USR concept.

The world has changed since the surge of COVID.  Face-to-face interactive programmes with scale were halted in the USRN.  It took a while for the USRN to grasp an effective model to continue our activities.  To cope with the COVID new normal, in the past two years, we started to launch different programmes like webinars, MOOC (Mass Open Online Course) and online forums virtually.  The USRN has transformed gradually despite disruption. Today, the Network has 20 member institutions spreading across a wide geographical area.

Witnessing the achievements of USRN over the past years, PolyU is delighted to host the USR Summit again in 2022 to reflect on what we have accomplished, and to work together to accelerate USR globally.  The Summit, themed “Education and Action for a Sustainable Future”, will be one of the featured activities of PolyU’s 85th Anniversary.

On behalf of the International USR Summit Organising Committee, I would like to invite all of you to come and join us at the USR Summit 2022 to discuss on ways to translate innovative ideas into concrete steps for a better, inclusive and sustainable future.  I look forward to welcoming you at the Summit in November this year.

Professor Ben Young

Chair, International USR Summit 2022 Organising Committee
Co-Chair, University Social Responsibility Network Executive Committee
Vice President (Student and Global Affairs), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University