An APRU delegation with Professor Thomas Schneider, Chief Executive and Jackie Wong, Director, Communications & Engagement, visited Peking University (PKU), Tsinghua University, and University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in October to explore significant opportunities for collaboration and the strategic role of APRU in fostering academic and cultural exchanges. They also visited the Chinese Academy of Sciences to explore opportunities for collaboration. 

Peking University 

APRU and PKU revisited the 2019 crisis management initiative which was established among several universities in the APRU network. With the many ongoing and continuous crises confronting the region including global health epidemics, effects of climate change, and other human-made disasters, the discussion considered the opportunity to continue the project, including activities such as symposia and student exchanges. The APRU delegation has learned that PKU sees ample opportunities to leverage the APRU platform for a range of key initiatives, including interdisciplinarity in academic cooperation, data science and AI for sustainable development, as well as China-US collaboration through various forums. 

Tsinghua University

On a visit to APRU member Tsinghua University the delegation introduced the idea of APRU serving as a platform facilitating and promoting collaboration across the Asia Pacific Rim. Prof. Schneider also shared more information about the strategic vision and opportunities for Tsinghua University to participate and take advantage of the network. As Tsinghua University hosts a nationally recognized museum and is currently under construction of a new science museum, Prof Schneider recommends that Tsinghua University take a leading role in the APRU Museums Working Group. Tsinghua University President Li Luming expects APRU to serve as a platform for all students from the Asia Pacific to participate get a global education and gain a cultural understanding.  

University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences 

Also on October 15, the APRU delegation was hosted by the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS). The delegation learned that UCAS looks to APRU to help facilitating international collaborations for Chinese graduate students. UCAS provides numerous opportunities for graduate students, including an international graduate student research forum, which involves seven universities from the Americas, the UK, Australia, and Japan. The APRU-UCAS meeting highlighted a suggestion for APRU to organize an international graduate student research forum on various topics such as longevity or other medical fields. 

Exploring Collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Sciences  

An APRU delegation visited the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) on October 15, presenting a range of ideas for collaboration. The CAS plays a significant role in higher education through its two universities: the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) and the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC). CAS’s International Partnerships Program encourages international scientists to co-produce projects. APRU is looking forward to further exploring areas of collaboration, in particular, the Greater Bay Area (GBA) Conference at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) on November 11 will serve as an opportunity.