EdTech Conference Grant 2025–2026 Recipients Announced
The United Board Digital Programming Division is pleased to announce the recipients of the Education Technology in Higher Education Conferences Grant for 2025–2026. This year, the program supports 13 faculty members from 9 institutions across 4 countries, recognizing their commitment to advancing innovation in teaching, learning, and digital transformation in higher education.
The selected recipients will present their research at leading international conferences held in Australia, China, India, Japan, Norway, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. Their work reflects a wide range of emerging priorities in higher education, including artificial intelligence in education, digital pedagogy, educational equity, ethical technology use, and the integration of data-driven approaches into teaching and learning practices.
Strengthening Global Academic Engagement
The Education Technology Conference Grant is a strategic initiative of the United Board aimed at strengthening institutional capacity and fostering regional collaboration through global academic engagement. By supporting faculty participation in international conferences, the program enables educators to share research, exchange ideas with global peers, and bring back new perspectives that contribute to institutional innovation.
In an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving educational landscape, participation in international academic forums plays a critical role in ensuring that higher education institutions in Asia remain responsive, forward-looking, and globally connected. Through this grant, the United Board seeks to empower faculty members not only as researchers, but also as change agents who can lead digital transformation efforts within their institutions.
Advancing Innovation in Teaching and Learning
The projects supported under this grant demonstrate the growing importance of educational technology in shaping the future of higher education. From AI-assisted teaching and learning systems to digital pedagogy frameworks and governance models, the recipients’ work highlights both the opportunities and challenges associated with integrating technology into academic environments.
These initiatives contribute to ongoing conversations around:
Enhancing student engagement through technology-enabled learnin
Building faculty capacity in digital and AI literacy
Addressing issues of access, equity, and inclusion in digital education
Strengthening institutional readiness for emerging technologies
Promoting ethical and responsible use of AI in higher education
By supporting such work, the United Board continues to advance its mission of fostering whole person education, while encouraging innovation that is grounded in purpose, integrity, and social responsibility.
Program Scope and Support
The Education Technology Conference Grant provides financial support to faculty members whose papers have been accepted at recognized international conferences related to educational technology and innovation in higher education. The grant is designed to offset costs associated with conference participation, including registration, travel, and accommodation, with the expectation that recipients will actively disseminate their learning within their home institutions.
Given the strong interest in the program, the 2025–2026 cycle reached its full capacity of supported participants. The selection process prioritizes proposals that demonstrate clear alignment with institutional needs, relevance to contemporary challenges in higher education, and potential for broader impact.
Looking Ahead
The application cycle for the 2025–2026 grant is now officially closed. The next call for applications will open in late May 2026, supporting conferences taking place between July 2026 and June 2027.
The United Board encourages faculty members and institutions across Asia to stay engaged and consider applying in the next cycle as part of their ongoing commitment to innovation and academic excellence.
