Ten years after the successful launch of APRU Undergraduate Leaders’ Program in Nanjing University, it returned to China in July, raising the specter for another decade of fruitful cooperation that has so far provided international experiences to more than 500 undergraduate students from the Pacific Rim.
Hosted by Shanghai Jiao Tong University and themed “Sustainable Development in a Fast-Changing Metropolis”, the program offered a unique window into the challenges and opportunities of urban sustainability.
Set against the dynamic and evolving backdrop of Shanghai, a city that epitomizes the blend of tradition with cutting-edge modernity, a total of 64 undergraduate students from 24 APRU member universities in 13 economies engaged in program activities on key topics ranging from Envisioning a Sustainable Metropolis and Nourishing the Metropolis to Resilient, Hyperlocal Communities in the Metropolis and Universities Without Borders.
“The past two weeks have been incredible as I see how much our young students can achieve in such a short time,” said Viva Du, the International Programs Office Manager of the University of Michigan-Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Institute (UM-SJTU JI).
“Coming from different academic backgrounds, universities and countries, they help shaping Shanghai’s sustainable future with their ideas and visions.”
The program involved several site visits to Shanghai districts and additional activities, such as a cultural show, Chinese painting/calligraphy, and international cooking, as well as an international music night. In a 72-hour challenge, students were divided into 12 groups that were tasked with creating a poster and a 3-minute video with their vision of Shanghai in the future on their assigned themes.
“I was gratified to hear from the ULPers that they learned as much about urban sustainability from the program activities around Shanghai as they did about the diverse Pacific Rim cultures and norms from fellow undergraduate leaders around the dining table and on the APRU Talent Show stage,” said the UM-SJTU JI’s Professor Kwee-Yan Teh, who serves as the program’s academic lead.
The closing speech, delivered by APRU Program Officer David Quimbayo, highlighted the positive outlook for the program’s core quest of contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
“You’ve forged connections with ideas, with this vibrant city, and with each other that are not meant to stay within these walls, this university or this city,” Quimbayo said.
“Be the catalyst for change in your corner of the world; apply what you’ve learned here to real-world problems; continue to collaborate across borders and disciplines; and never stop imagining a more sustainable and equitable future for all.”
Universidad de Chile will be the host of the APRU Undergraduate Leaders’ Program 2025, stay tuned to learn more about it.