Hong Kong:
The Senior International Leaders’ Meeting (SILM) 2022, of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU), efficiently concluded on 19 October after three fruitful days of discussions amongst leaders of 41 universities throughout the Asia Pacific area. This yr’s annual convention was the primary time since 2019 that leaders have been capable of share their opinions in individual on the brand new international panorama of upper schooling.
Hosted by the University of California, Riverside (UCR), underneath the theme “Reconnecting to Shape Our Common Future,” the occasion introduced collectively institutes from 15 international locations and areas throughout Asia, Oceania, North America, and South America at the in-person assembly and thru a hybrid session. After two years of digital conferences because of the pandemic, this yr’s on-site gathering provided a helpful platform for senior college leaders to establish their widespread challenges and alternatives and develop collective methods for a really totally different world from after they final met.
Commenting on the importance of this yr’s assembly, UC Riverside Chancellor Kim Wilcox, underscored the influence of the Covid-19 pandemic on greater schooling and the significance for universities to carve a shared path via APRU.
Chancellor Wilcox stated: “After more than two years of disruptions due to COVID-19, UC Riverside is pleased to bring together leaders from APRU member universities, reconnect with them, and facilitate much-needed discussions on mutual interests at this year’s Senior International Leaders’ Meeting.”
He continued: “The pandemic has reinforced the importance of universities deepening their connection with each other, and of pursuing a collective approach to addressing global challenges facing higher education.”
Dr. Christopher Tremewan, Secretary-General of APRU, recommended the outcomes of this yr’s assembly and burdened the significance of the APRU community responding to members’ aspirations whereas additionally contributing collectively to fixing international challenges.
Dr. Tremewan stated: “I’m delighted that APRU’s Senior International Leaders’ Meeting has been capable of resume in-person this yr at the University of California, Riverside. We have a brand new sense of urgency as a result of we all know that the shocks to the system we’ve skilled are solely the start of crises which is able to shake the viability of upper schooling methods. We will be unable to disregard the consequences of local weather change, inequality and growing techno-nationalism. They are already upon us.
“More than ever, we need to come together on APRU’s neutral ground to build on the relationships of trust and cooperation that have grown over many years. It has been encouraging to see that our members’ renewed commitment to each other and to the common good.”
Highlights from the three-day assembly embody the keynote speech on Tuesday titled “Policy is Stronger with Science” by Professor Susan Hackwood, Professor Emerita at the UCR, Former Executive Director of the California Council on Science and Technology, and present Director of the Science to Policy Program. Prof. Hackwood shared how educating Ph.D. college students on the policymaking course of and coaching them to speak their analysis to a basic viewers can positively influence the well being and well-being of communities world wide.
Prof. Hackwood stated: “It was wonderful to have the opportunity to share the UCR Science to Policy and the US-Japan SciCom Fellowship programs with a group of international educators from APRU. We not only shared the great work our students and colleagues are doing, but also brainstormed ways we can enhance the program and expand collaborations to work with students and policymakers outside of the U.S. who are addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges.”
Also on Tuesday, two panel discussions titled “Shaping the Landscape of International Higher Education”, chaired by Prof. Jeffrey Riedinger, Vice Provost for Global Affairs of University of Washington and “Global Learning and Student International Activities in the New Normal”, chaired by Mr.Will Johnson, Assistant Vice Provost and Director of Global Education Oregon (GEO) of University of Oregon, sparked illuminating exchanges amongst delegates on classes learnt through the pandemic, new understanding of the long run in greater schooling, and methods to develop belief for the good thing about college students and societies.
Prof. Riedinger stated: “At a time of multiple geo-political tensions, we are mindful that cross-institutional, cross-continental collaborations are essential to effectively addressing the world’s most pressing challenges and most promising opportunities.”
Mr. Johnson added: “After two long-years of disruption to travel-based programming, it is exciting to be back in-person with my colleagues from APRU partner universities. I am honored to be able to spend time engaging with fellow thought leaders who share the goal of collectively addressing the challenges and opportunities facing higher education and global engagement in the coming years.”
Another excessive level was a panel dialogue on Wednesday, chaired by Dr. José M Páez, Vice-Rector for International Affairs at Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico. The session, titled “Scaling Up Initiatives on Global Challenges”, evaluated the strategies APRU member universities adopted to handle international challenges. Panellists, who got here from 4 universities and APRU, explored the effectiveness of those approaches and analysed the need of adopting new methods to boost the alliance’s presence.
Following the three-day in-person occasion, a degree of renewed respect and belief was established among the many prime college leaders and their establishments. There was additionally an eagerness to interact at a deeper degree for the long run panorama of upper schooling, particularly in ways in which leverage the strengths of APRU’s community.
For extra data on APRU, please go to:
www.apru.org/occasion/silm2022
www.apru.org
Photos:
hyperlink
View supply model on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221021005110/en/
