Some questions are more powerful than others. Powerful questions engage a person’s mind, create energy and take the conversation to a new perspective, towards creative possibilities and innovative solutions.

In the past several years, China has made bold and innovative moves, such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and development of a multitude of intercontinental transportation and economic infrastructures, to establish palpable linkages with the world beyond China in real-time and real-space.

Over the last decade a new breed of venture capitalism has emerged: social impact investors who invest in sustainable and scalable enterprises among the poor.

Escalating security tension on the Korean Peninsula has generated an unlikely new strategic partnership between US and China to pressure North Korea to renounce its nuclear development plans.

Universities today are expected to meet many – and often conflicting – demands: to be sources of skilled labour, creators of expertise, incubators of businesses, engines for economic growth.

Universities today are expected to meet many – and often conflicting – demands: to be sources of skilled labour, creators of expertise, incubators of businesses, engines for economic growth.

Professor John Chowning is a pioneer in the field of electronic music who discovered the frequency modulation synthesis (FM) algorithm in 1967. He was dubbed the father of digital synthesizer, inventor and composer, forever altering the face of modern music.

Professor Barry Eichengreen is a Research Associate of the National Bureau of Economic Research (Cambridge, Massachusetts) and Research Fellow of the Centre for Economic Policy Research (London, England).

Students, parents, employers, government and society at large expect more from universities than ever before and rankings help to keep track of which are world-class universities.

Professor Anthony Saich is a Daewoo Professor of International Affairs at Harvard University, teaching courses on comparative political institutions, democratic governance and transitional economies with a focus on China.