News
“Pulse of the Pearl: Avant-Garde Frontiers - From Knowledge Transfer to Future Impact” Reception
23 July 2026
Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), Hong Kong Ballet (HKB) and Tai Kwun co-hosted the reception “Pulse of the Pearl: Avant-Garde Frontiers - From Knowledge Transfer to Future Impact” at Tai Kwun on 23 July. The event built on the momentum of the Asia premiere of the immersive installations—Wayne McGregor: On The Other Earth and eMBody—everybody in motion—which were on exhibition at Tai Kwun from 25 June to 2 August 2026.
The reception was graced by HKBU and HKB senior management, including Dr Sunny Chai, Deputy Chairman of the Council and the Court of HKBU; Professor Alex Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU; Mr Kevin Liem, Treasurer of the Council and Court of HKBU; Professor Terence Lau, Interim Chief Innovation Officer of HKBU; and Mr Septime Webre, Artistic Director of HKB; and other distinguished guests from the cultural and entertainment industries, investors and art lovers.
In his welcome remarks at the reception, Dr Sunny Chai emphasised HKBU’s commitment to translating creative and technological breakthroughs into real-world impact through knowledge transfer and strategic collaboration. He expressed that HKBU supports the National 15th Five-Year Plan and the development of Digital China, and will continue to drive innovation at the intersection of arts, culture and technology, contributing to Hong Kong’s role as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.
Moderated by Professor Terence Lau, a panel discussion on the commercial opportunities and challenges of Art Tech projects—On The Other Earth and eMBody, brought together Ms Heidi Lee, Executive Director of HKB; Mr Fred Li, Managing Director and Head of University Ventures at Gobi Partners; and Professor Jeffrey Shaw, Chair Professor of the Academy of Visual Arts at HKBU. The conversation delved into pathways from knowledge transfer to future impact, exploring how Art Tech innovations can generate social, cultural, and economic value and extend that value across the international landscape. Drawing together perspectives from the artist, the investor, and the industry, Professor Lau concluded the session with key insights on building a vibrant Art Tech ecosystem capable of driving global impact.
The success of Wayne McGregor: On The Other Earth and eMBody—everybody in motion demonstrates how knowledge transfer drives artistic innovation and technological breakthroughs, transforming creative vision into market-ready excellence. These projects exemplify not only the crucial role of interdisciplinary and international collaboration, but also the profound cultural impact that Art Tech initiatives can achieve.