The plenary session of the Asian Universities Alliance (AUA) Presidents Forum 2022 was held on April 22, marking the fifth anniversary of the establishment of the alliance.
The theme of this year’s forum was “Embracing Asian Diversity for a Shared Future: Mission of Universities in Fostering a Community of Life for People and Nature.”
Huai Jinpeng, China’s Minister of Education, and Ban Ki-moon, the 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia, delivered remarks as the guests of honor at the forum, attended by leaders and representatives of all the 15 AUA member universities and other distinguished guests.
Minister Huai extended congratulations on behalf of his ministry to AUA on its fifth anniversary and remarked that the establishment of the alliance by distinguished universities from different Asian countries and regions reflected the general trend of common development and win-win cooperation in Asian higher education.
He urged AUA members to promote regional connections of higher education through digitalization, to deepen the pragmatic cooperation between universities by focusing on talent cultivation and scientific research and innovation, and to promote communication between peoples and appreciation to diverse cultures.
He said he was hopeful that AUA would make greater contributions to jointly addressing regional and global challenges, promoting the common welfare of Asian people, and advancing the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.
Ban Ki-moon congratulated AUA on its fifth anniversary, saying, since 2017, AUA has served as a robust platform for regional collaboration, partnership, and dialogue.
He called on AUA to scale up its cooperative regional efforts to help forge tangible progress on the UN’s development and climate goals.
“Your role is extremely important, as we need to ensure that the UN Global Goals are local business, throughout Asia and beyond. With your elevated efforts, I am confident that we can construct a more healthy, sustainable, peaceful, and prosperous world for all,” he said.
Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China, Prof. Dr. Anek Laothamatas, Thailand’s Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation, and Dr. Nyunt Phy, Myanmar’s Union Minister for Education, sent congratulatory messages on AUA’s fifth anniversary, which were read out respectively by Wei Shyy, President of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Bundhit Eua-arporn, President of Chulalongkorn University, and Tin Maung Tun, Rector of the University of Yangon at the forum.
Following that, Chairman of Tsinghua University Council Qiu Yong, who served as the founding president of AUA, addressed the forum. He noted that AUA has grown into a cohesive consortium of Asian higher education with an increasing impact and thanked AUA members and the greater Asian community for their strong support. “The diversity we embrace forms the foundation of our alliance. With each of us sharing a unique set of knowledge and experiences, I am confident that we will be able to continue collectively tackling our common challenges and building a brighter future for all,” he said.
Tsinghua President Wang Xiqin, on behalf of the entire AUA community, presented a token of appreciation to Professor Qiu in recognition of his distinguished leadership during his time as AUA Founding President. Last month, former President Qiu Yong was named Chairman of Tsinghua University Council, and Professor Wang Xiqin was appointed President of Tsinghua University, making him also AUA President. President Wang Xiqin said that he is honored to serve as the new President of AUA and he looks forward to working closely with all the AUA members to enhance AUA’s unique contribution to building a shared future for Asia and beyond.
Eight leaders of other AUA member universities delivered their remarks at the forum. Ghaleb Alhadrami Albreiki, Acting Vice Chancellor of United Arab Emirates University, Bundhit Eua-arporn, President of Chulalongkorn University, and OH Se-Jung, President of Seoul National University highlighted that higher education was experiencing important paradigm shifts due to global challenges. AUA has been providing a unique space and platform for innovative, multilateral and institutional collaborations among flagship universities of Asia, leading the development of new research and strengthening intercultural understandings. It was an excellent example of leveraging international collaboration to advance the Sustainable Development Goals, while also reinventing the roles of universities.
Subhasis Chaudhuri, Director of the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, H. D. Karunaratne, Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo, and Wei Shyy, President of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology emphasized that Asia is a region with diversity and rich cultural heritage. In the era of global Asia, it is significant to build a closer bond with a shared future among Asian universities. AUA has an important role to play in cultivating the spirit of collaboration and respect among young people and future talents in Asia. Student exchange programs and credit transfer among member universities can be further encouraged in the future.
Shigeo Katsu, President of Nazarbayev University and Tin Maung Tun, Rector of the University of Yangon said that AUA has made great strides in the past five years and has become a place to share best practices, which benefited all member universities. They stated that they would continue to deepen the collaborations in higher education to address regional and global challenges and promote a shared future for humanity.
The forum held online was moderated by Yang Bin, Provost and Vice President of Tsinghua University. Before the AUA Presidents Forum 2022 culminated in the plenary session, four sessions were held earlier on different themes.
Writers: Sangeet, ZHANG Xi
