Keynote Speakers

Dr. Adela Lau

Dr. Adela Lau

Deputy Director of HKU SAAS Data Science Lab, Division of Statistics and Actuarial Science, School of Computing and Data Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Speech Title: Future Education: Using AI, Web6.0, and Naked Eye 3D Learning in Metaverse

Abstract: Traditional e-learning model uses web2.0 for knowledge acquisition, distribution, sharing, and presentation. The limitation of the existing e-learning model is lack of knowledge experience generation, knowledge relating, filtering and innovation creation for wisdom management. To facilitate learner's learning from information to wisdom, some recent technologies such as Web6.0, naked-eye 3D and metaverse can improve the learner's learning experience. This presentation mainly focuses on the review of current web technologies from web1.0 to web6.0, and discusses how the advanced technologies of naked eye 3D and metaverse creating a new evolution in future meta-learning environment.

Biography: Dr. Adela Lau is the Deputy Director of HKU SAAS Data Science Lab, Division of Statistics and Actuarial Science, School of Computing and Data Science of the University of Hong Kong. Dr. Lau published over 60 journal and conference papers and funded over 50 research and industrial collaboration and consultancy projects in the area of machine learning, business intelligence, text analysis, network analysis, social media and big data analytics, AI and Mixed Reality in metaverse, intelligence applications, risk management, information system adoption, ontology/taxonomy building, business process re-engineering, portal design, knowledge management, e-learning, public/community health studies, healthcare systems and nursing clinical quality control & assessment. She gained several awards including NANDA Foundation Research Grant Award (USA), Faculty Merit Award in Services (HK), and Inaugural Teaching and Learning Showcase Award (HK). She was the former director of Center for Business Development at Madonna University in USA, and the co-director of the Center for Integrative Digital Health at Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and leaded the IT team for healthcare product innovation. Dr. Lau was an active committee member of Knowledge Management Research Center at PolyU and Data Science Center at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), in which she initiated and developed industrial applied-research consultancy projects. She was also the UG coordinator of the Risk Management and Business Intelligence Program at HKUST, and was responsible to lead, execute, and coordinate the program works including curriculum design, enrichment programs, and administration across three schools of business, science, and engineering.



Prof. Dr. Haitham Nobanee

Prof. Dr. Haitham Nobanee

Distinguished Professor of Finance at Abu Dhabi University, U.A.E., Honorary Professor at the University of Liverpool, U.K., and a Visiting Research Professor at the University of Oxford, U.K.
Speech Title: Biodiversity in the Blue Finance Economy

Abstract: The Blue Finance Economy has emerged as a critical framework for aligning economic growth with the sustainable use of marine and coastal resources. As the world increasingly recognizes the importance of ocean health, this keynote will explore the growing role of blue finance in supporting biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. The speech will highlight key global trends, including innovative financial instruments, policy developments, and corporate engagement in blue ecosystems. It will also address pressing challenges such as greenwashing, measurement gaps, and the need for stronger governance frameworks. By examining the broader implications for investors, businesses, and policymakers, this talk aims to foster dialogue on scalable solutions that balance economic progress with ecological preservation.

Biography: Haitham Nobanee is a distinguished Professor of Finance at Abu Dhabi University. He also holds prestigious roles as an Honorary Professor at the University of Liverpool, U.K., and a Visiting Research Professor at the University of Oxford, U.K. Recognized among the "World Ranking of Top 2% Researchers" by Stanford University, Dr. Nobanee earned his doctorate from the University of Manchester and has established himself as a prolific scholar with research interests spanning digital finance, fintech, cryptocurrencies, sustainable finance, energy economics, and more. His work has been published in top-tier journals such as Energy Economics, Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews, and Harvard Business Review. A dedicated academic leader, he serves as Editor for the Arab Gulf Journal of Scientific Research and Associate Editor for journals like International Review of Financial Analysis and Financial Innovation, while also contributing to numerous editorial boards and international conferences as a keynote speaker, chair, and reviewer. His accolades include the Abdul Hameed Shoman Award for Arab Researchers. A Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), and the Learning and Performance Institute (LPI), Dr. Nobanee is a respected figure in finance, celebrated for his contributions to research, education, and the global academic community.



Prof. Dr. Dominik K. Kanbach

Prof. Dr. Dominik K. Kanbach

Full Professor and Chair of Strategic Entrepreneurship, HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management, Leipzig, Germany & Adjunct Research Professor University of Warsaw, Faculty of Management, Warsaw, Poland
Speech Title: The Changing Nature of Management in Times of (Generative) Artificial Intelligence

Abstract: To be updated

Biography: Prof. Dr. Dominik K. Kanbach is Full Professor and holder of the Chair of Strategic Entrepreneurship at HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management in Germany. He leads the Strategic Entrepreneurship Research Group at HHL and serves as Academic Director of DIGITAL SPACE – The HHL Digital Transformation Platform focused on incubating digital business models. His research interest covers the fields of strategic management, entrepreneurship, and innovation management. He has published over 100 articles in leading international peer-reviewed journals and holds several editor positions. Before joining academia, he worked as a strategy consultant for several years. He teaches courses on strategic management, entrepreneurship and innovation management in top universities and business schools around the world. He has received numerous research and teaching awards and the leading German business magazine “Wirtschaftswoche” ranked him among the top 2% of scholars in December 2024.



Prof. Ricardo Marcao, PhD, MBA, PMP

Prof. Ricardo Marcao, PhD, MBA, PMP

Adjunct Professor and Senior International Project Manager at ISLA Santarém- Polytechnic Institute and SIBS International, Portugal
Speech Title: Digital Transformation as Grand Strategy: Aligning Business Models, Innovation, and Human Capital

Abstract: Digital transformation has evolved beyond a mere technological shift to become an essential component of grand strategy for organizations seeking sustainable competitive advantage. This keynote explores the strategic integration of digital technologies with business models, innovation processes, and human capital management. Emphasizing the importance of aligning digital initiatives with organizational goals, the discussion highlights successful approaches and real-world examples of digital transformation that have enhanced innovation capabilities and improved human resource practices. Attendees will gain insights into effectively leveraging digitalization not only as a tool for operational efficiency but as a comprehensive strategic approach to future-proofing their organizations.

Biography: Ricardo Marcão, PhD, MBA, PMP, is a globally recognized expert in Project Management, Finance, Strategy, Grand Strategy, and Healthcare Innovation, with extensive experience in Pharma, MedTech, Medical Devices, IT, and Professional Services. As a Senior International Project Manager at SIBS, a leader in Payments and Banking, he drives strategic projects across global markets, optimizing operations, mitigating risks, and aligning business strategies for sustainable growth. Beyond corporate strategy, Ricardo’s expertise extends into Grand Strategy, Democracy, and International Relations, with a particular focus on how geopolitics, economic strategy, and competitive intelligence shape global business dynamics. His knowledge in policy frameworks and transatlantic relations positions him as a thought leader in aligning business growth, technological innovation, and governance for long-term impact. Throughout his career, he has led major transformations, implementing gamification strategies to enhance engagement and sales, redefining Pharma and MedTech consulting through digital innovation, and introducing a risk control framework that improved project margins by 20%. From 2022 to 2023, he spearheaded global CRM projects for top pharmaceutical firms, optimizing commercial operations across international markets. An accomplished academic, editor, and international speaker, Ricardo has authored and edited multiple books on strategy, innovation, and performance evaluation. As a coordinator of MBA, Post-Graduate, Master’s and Higher Technical programs at ISLA Santarém, he plays a key role in developing future business leaders at the intersection of business, technology, and governance. Actively engaged in SCIP Portugal, APMP NYC, and PMI, he continues to contribute to strategic intelligence, business consultancy, and global policy discourse.



Prof. Luiz Moutinho (BA, MA, PhD, MAE, FCIM)

Prof. Luiz Moutinho (BA, MA, PhD, MAE, FCIM)

Visiting Professor of Marketing at School of Technology, Business and Arts, University of Suffolk, UK, and at The Marketing School, Portugal
Speech Title: FUTURODATA

Abstract: The presentation starts by introducing the concepts of Data Mesh, Transfer and Real-Time Learning and Scalable Algorithms. The next part of the presentation is centred on innovation-Innovation Ecosystems, Cognitive Automation, Open Innovation 3.0, Voice Search Optimisation, Antifragile Innovation Systems and Liquid Innovation. Other topics that will be covered include Synthetic Data, Data as a Service, AI Coding and Auto Machine Learning. The keynote ends by analysing some of the most recent advances in AI-Operator, DeepSeek, Hover and Majorana, apart from important related concepts like Robotics Zero-Shot Transfer, Agentic AI and Human Factor Engineering.

Biography: Prof. Luiz Moutinho is Visiting Professor of Marketing at School of Technology, Business and Arts, University of Suffolk, UK, and at The Marketing School, Portugal.
In 2020 he was elected as the member of The Academia Europaea. In 2017 he received a degree of Prof. Honoris Causa from the Univ. of Tourism and Management Skopje, North Macedonia. In 2024 was rated among the 100 best scientists in Business and Management by Research.com.
During 2015 - 2017 he was a professor of BioMarketing and Futures Research at the DCU Business School, Dublin City University, Ireland. This was the first Chair in the world on both domains - BioMarketing and Futures Research. Previously, and for 20 years, he had been appointed as the Foundation Chair of Marketing at the Adam Smith Business School, University of Glasgow, Scotland.
He completed his PhD at the University of Sheffield in 1982. He has been a Full Professor for 36 years and held posts at CardiffBusiness School, University of Wales College of Cardiff, Cleveland State University, Ohio, USA, Northern Arizona University, USA and California State University, USA. He has held Visiting Professorship positions at numerous universities in China, Lithuania, Austria, New Zealand, Denmark, Slovenia, Portugal, Hungary, Taiwan, Brazil, Colombia, Fiji and Cyprus.
Between 1987 and 1989 he was the director of the Doctoral Programmes at the Confederation of Scottish Business Schools and at the CardiffBusiness School between 1993 and 1996. He was director of the Doctoral Programme in Management at the University of Glasgow between 1996 and 2004.
Professor Moutinho is the Founding Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Modelling in Management (JM2) and Co-editor-in-Chief of the Innovative Marketing Journal. He has another 4 associate editorships as well as being in the editorial boards of another 47 international academic journals.
His areas of research interest encompass marketing and management futurecast, artificial intelligence, biometrics and neuroscience in marketing, futures research algorithmic self, EmoWear - a wearable tech device that detects human emotions, evolutionary algorithms, human-computer interaction, the use of artificial neural networks in marketing, modelling processes of consumer behaviour and tourism futurecast. He has developed a number of conceptual models over the years in areas such as tourism destination decision processes, automated banking, supermarket patronage, among other areas. The testing of these research models has been based on the application of many different statistical, computer and mathematical modelling techniques ranging from multidimensional scaling, multinomial logit generalised linear models (GLMs) and linear structural relations to neural networks, ordered probit, simulated annealing, tabu search, genetic algorithms, memetic algorithms and fuzzy logic.
Prof. Moutinho has given keynote speeches, lectures, seminars, talks, etc. in 52 countries worldwide. Prof. Moutinho has 40 books published, over 161 articles published in refereed academic journals.



Prof. Dr. Jin Chen

Prof. Dr. Jin Chen

Dean, Business School, Beijing Wuzi University, China
Speech Title: To be updated

Abstract: To be updated

Biography: As an expert with special allowance from the State Council and a famous teacher in Beijing, Prof. Chen is currently Dean of Business School at Beijing Wuzi University and doctoral supervisor of the University of International Business and Economics, as well as a deputy director of the Education Guidance Committee of the Ministry of Education for e-commerce majors in colleges and universities, a consultant expert on the establishment of national e-commerce demonstration cities, a chief expert on cross-border e-commerce of China Association of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Enterprises, and an expert on the Digital Economy Committee of China Association of Foreign Investment Enterprises.
He presided over and completed more than 50 national and provincial projects in China, and published more than 100 papers, over 20 textbooks and works.
He mainly engaged in research and practice of trade digitalization, e-commerce and modern service industry.



Prof. Dr. Qiang He

Prof. Dr. Qiang He

Northeastern University, China
Speech Title: To be updated

Abstract: To be updated

Biography: Qiang He received the Ph.D. degree in computer application technology from the Northeastern University, Shenyang, China in 2020. He also worked with School of Computer Science and Technology, Nanyang Technical University, Singapore as a visiting PhD researcher from 2018 to 2019. He is currently Professor at the College of Medicine and Biological Information Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China. His research interests include cloud computing, edge computing, machine learning, social network analytic, health care, etc. He has published more than 90 journal articles and conference papers, including IEEE/ACM Transactions on Networking, IEEE Transactions on Knowledge and Data Engineering, IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing, IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks and Learning Systems, NeurIPS and AAAI.