HKU AGI welcomes 18 influential fellows from belt and road initiative countries and beyond

The Asia Global Institute (AGI) at The University of Hong Kong (HKU) is delighted to welcome 18 exceptional global influencers from 17 different countries to the HKU campus. Among 13 out of 18 Fellows are from BRI partner countries this year, including Afghanistan, Algeria, Egypt, Fiji, Georgia, Ghana, Nigeria, Pakistan, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Singapore and Zimbabwe. The others are from Australia, India, the Netherlands and the Philippines.

The 2023 AGFP cohort has already made significant contributions in fields such as land and natural resources policies, fintech, multilateral institutions, management, law, and technology. These fellows share a passion for global issues and Asia-related policy matters. They will focus on personal and professional growth, leveraging the learning, networking opportunities, and resources available to drive development in their respective home countries through an intensive three-month research course includes seminars, workshops, and exchange ideas with top scholars from various fields at HKU from August to November.

The Asia Global Institute is an independent think tank that generates and disseminates innovative thinking and policy-relevant research on global issues from Asian perspectives. Established in 2017, AGFP is a residential program in Hong Kong that serves as a unique platform for nurturing future leaders and influencers with a deep understanding of global policy issues from Asian perspectives. The program also fosters long-term ties between Asia and the rest of the world. To date, AGI has hosted 74 Fellows from over 43 nations across all continents, including Asia, Europe, Africa, Middle East, Latin America and North America. Notably, 70% of the Fellows hail from countries that have joined the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

“Over the past six years, the AsiaGlobal Fellows Program has successfully groomed leaders who are capable of playing pivotal roles in establishing and strengthening relationships between their countries of origin and Hong Kong. These leaders spearhead initiatives that bring about positive changes in Hong Kong, Asia, and the global community,” said Mr Kwok-chuen Kwok, Program Director, AsiaGlobal Fellows Program, Asia Global Institute.

Some notable Fellows include:

1. Nona Mamulashvili, a politician, business leader, and political analyst who served as a member of the parliament of Georgia representing the party group “United National Movement – United Opposition, Strength is in Unity.” She also spearheaded the Caucasus Economic Policy Institute, a think tank that advocates for structural change and institutional development through policy research in the Caucasus region.
2. Ana Tuiketei, an international lawyer and arbitrator. She holds the distinction of being the first Pacific Counsel listed with the International Criminal Court (The Hague) and the only female Pacific Islander listed as an arbitrator with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Lausanne, Switzerland), the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration (China), and the South China International Arbitration Centre (Hong Kong). In addition, she is the only Fijian woman to be accredited as a World Rugby Judicial Officer and Educator, and the only Independent Chair for Oceania International Rugby League.
3. Sarfraz Khan Virk, a director of Federal Investigation Agency Lahore who has over 15 years of civil service experience, with a focus on public safety, law enforcement, counterterrorism, and crime. He has served as the chief of police in four major cities in Pakistan. His AGFP experience was postponed from 2022 to this year when he made the difficult decision to stay at the forefront when Pakistan was undergoing its catastrophic 2022 floods. While thousands lost their lives and millions were displaced, Sarfraz remained dedicated to providing aid and comfort to those affected.
4. Sayed Dawod Amin, a former deputy consul general of Afghanistan committed to contributing to his country’s peace-trading and peace-building efforts.
5. Helen Dai, a recipient of the 40-under-40 Most Influential Asian-Australians Award and a career diplomat who aims to foster Asian Australian leadership in top institutions and companies, and to promote multiculturalism in modern Australia.
6. Mohamed Ibrahim Hafez, a policy advisor at the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones in Egypt, specializing in business regulatory reforms and Special Economic Zones governance.
7. Dilfuza Kurolova, a human rights lawyer from Uzbekistan dedicated to volunteerism, providing thousands free legal consultations online since 2019.
8. Anisse Terai, an Algeria managing director at a private equity firm with expertise in the African Continental Free Trade Area, energy transition, and multilateral affairs, including BRICS, G20, and the WTO.

To learn more about the rest of the Fellows and their backgrounds, please visit, https://www.asiaglobalfellows.hku.hk/Fellows2023.aspx

During their stay between August 21 to November 17, the Fellows are open to press interviews and speaking engagements.

For more information about the program, please visit: https://www.asiaglobalfellows.hku.hk/

About the Asia Global Institute
The Asia Global Institute is an independent think tank that generates and disseminates innovative thinking and policy-relevant research on global issues from Asian perspectives. It aims to inform global policy and actions towards a prosperous and sustainable future for all.

About the AGF Program Director
Directing this program is Kwok-chuen Kwok who had recently stepped down as Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Academy of Finance, where his mandate was to nurture financial talents for the city. Prior to that, Mr Kwok was Government Economist of the Hong Kong SAR Government and Regional Chief Economist of Standard Chartered Bank for East Asia). Mr. Kwok’s vast knowledge and professional experience in economics, coupled with his passion and commitment to nurturing future financial leaders, make him an invaluable asset to AGFP.

About New World Development Charity Foundation
To fulfil New World Group’s commitment to corporate sustainability, the New World Group Charity Foundation was established in 2011 with the aim of contributing to charities and worthy causes and providing practical support to various sports, art and cultural programmes initiated by the Group. This establishment helps the Group achieve its goals of improving social mobility of the under-resourced and fostering social harmony.

About the Tanoto Foundation 
Tanoto Foundation is an independent philanthropic organization founded by Sukanto Tanoto and Tinah Bingei Tanoto based on the belief that quality education accelerates equal opportunity. Tanoto Foundation harnesses the transformative power of education to realise people’s full potential and improve lives. It focuses on making an impact in Indonesia, Singapore and China, in the areas of improving learning environments, future leaders development, as well as facilitating medical research and sciences.

To connect with the AsiaGlobal Fellows, please visit, https://www.asiaglobalfellows.hku.hk/ or contact, Louanne Wong T: +852 3917 1898 E: [email protected]