SEAAIR 2026 at MCU: Exploring the Future of AI and Higher Education

The 26th Annual SEAAIR Conference, hosted by Ming Chuan University, will take place from October 19 to 21, 2026, at the Chientan Youth Activity Center in Taipei. Under the theme “Reimagining Institutional and Educational Excellence in the Age of AI and Data,” the conference will bring together university leaders, scholars, institutional researchers, and emerging researchers from different countries and regions to explore innovative approaches to higher education governance, teaching, research, and quality assurance in the age of AI and data.

The South East Asian Association for Institutional Research (SEAAIR) has long been dedicated to advancing institutional research, higher education governance, and international academic exchange. This year’s conference will focus on five key themes: “From Data to Decisions: Leveraging AI in Institutional Planning, University Governance and Strategic Foresight,” “Data-Driven Quality Assurance: Innovations in Assessment and Accreditation,” “Building Institutional Readiness and Capabilities of AI in Teaching, Learning & Research,” “Digital Transformation of Educational Efficiencies and Effectiveness: Roles of IR and IT Integration,” and “Ethics and Pragmatics of AI in Education and IR.” Through international dialogue and exchange, the conference aims to explore the opportunities and challenges that AI presents to higher education and to facilitate the sharing of innovative practices among universities.

Two keynote speeches will highlight the three-day conference. On October 19, Dr. Shyang-Yuh Wang, Director-General of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Hsinchu City Government, will deliver a presentation titled “When Numbers Speak: Transforming IR Experiences into Data-Driven Urban Aesthetics,” sharing how institutional research and data-driven thinking can extend beyond higher education into urban governance and aesthetics. On October 20, SEAAIR President Dr. Teay Shawyun will present “Living with AI: An Academic Playbook,” exploring how universities, faculty members, and researchers can rethink teaching, research, and academic practices amid the rapid development of AI.

The conference will also feature International Parallel Paper Sessions, providing scholars and researchers from different countries and regions with opportunities to share their latest research and practices. A Research Consortium for Graduates and Junior Faculty (RCG-JF) will offer graduate students and emerging scholars a platform for research presentations, professional dialogue, and international exchange, helping them broaden their research perspectives and develop cross-border academic networks.

Faculty members, students, researchers, and higher education professionals interested in AI, institutional research, university governance, quality assurance, and digital transformation are welcome to participate. For the conference program, keynote speeches, paper sessions, and other information, please visit the 26th Annual SEAAIR Conference official website.