President Wan Lijun attended the APRU Presidential Retreat and 20th Annual Presidents Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from June 26 to 28.
The meeting was hosted by the University of Malaysia and over a hundred people were present, including presidents of universities and senior administrators of international education from thirteen countries and regions. Discussions were focused on the development of higher education and its challenges and future directions, economic growth and knowledge innovation in Southeast Asian nations, and research collaboration, faculty and student exchange and regular cooperation mechanisms among member universities.
During the meeting, President Wan Lijun met with the director of the APRU secretariat, University of Oregon and Tohoku University among others to promote mutual understanding and cooperation.
Wan Lijun with Michael H. Schill President of University of Oregon
Wan Lijun with Keith Wong, Director of APRU secretariat
"The APRU Impact Report 2016" released at the meeting presented an analysis of the data of APRU over the past twenty years, achievements of member universities in collaboration and exchange, and contributions made by member universities in scientific, social and economic sectors of the Pacific Rim regions. In their discussion on the future development of APRU, delegates to the meeting talked about increased education investment in various countries in face of a serious economic situation, strengthened exchange and sharing of information among member universities in China, Singapore and some other Asian nations and areas, emphasis on student innovation and entrepreneurship and training quality, and continued contributions to the economic revitalization and education development in the Pacific Rim regions.
Established in 1997, APRU has 45 member universities at present, including six from mainland China. As an early member of the organization, USTC has taken an active part in its various meetings, workshops and student forums over the years. It has formed good relationships with member universities, developed international channels of faculty and student communication and exchange, and improved USTC’s reputation and fruitful collaboration among first-class universities in the world.
(AN Ying, Office of International Cooperation)