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APRU 12th ANNUAL PRESIDENTS MEETING
JUNE 26-28, 2008
HOSTED BY KEIO UNIVERSITY
July 2, 2008 - The Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) 12th Annual Presidents Meeting was hosted by Keio University from June 26 to 28, 2008 in Tokyo, Japan.
The three-day meeting included a one-day APRU Forum comprising distinguished, eminent speakers from government and industry, and the election of a new APRU Chairman and Steering Committee. Professor Yuichiro Anzai, President of Keio University was elected Chairman of APRU, taking over from Vice-Chancellor Gavin Brown of University of Sydney. Other presidential members of the new Steering Committee were President Vladimir Kurilov of Far Eastern National University, Vice-Chancellor Glyn Davis of University of Melbourne, President Shih Choon Fong of National University of Singapore, President Steven Sample of University of Southern California, President Yang Wei of Zhejiang University, Chancellor Henry Yang of University of California, Santa Barbara and Rector Gumilar Rusliwa Somantri of University of Indonesia.
This year’s APRU Forum, based on the theme "Tradition and Innovation in Higher Education" included panel speakers from government and industry including IBM Japan and Toyota Motor Corporation. Keynote and special speakers Mr Isao Kiso, Director-General for International Affairs, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science & Technology (MEXT) of Japan, and Dr Sadako Ogata, former United Nations Higher Commissioner for Refugees, were also invited to address APRU Presidents. APRU presidents and senior staff actively engaged one another in small group discussions on issues relating to environmental sustainability, competition and collaboration between universities, management and governance. Delegates from SOI (School of Internet) Asia also interacted with APRU delegates as they participated in the Business Leaders Panel Session of the APRU Forum and a gala dinner celebrating Keio University’s 150th Anniversary.
The gala dinner on June 27, held in conjunction with APM2008, was graced by the Prime Minister of Japan. His Excellency Mr Yasuo Fukuda addressed APRU presidents on the need to enhance cooperation of leading Pacific Rim universities to the benefit of the region and beyond.
Presidents were given a chance to speak about their universities’ developments and strategic initiatives related to sub-themes of collaboration, sustainability and governance at the Presidents Open Forum on June 28. Vice-Chancellor Stuart McCutcheon of University of Auckland was the moderator for the Open Forum. A total of 20 APRU Presidents and 46 Senior Staff and delegates participated in the 12th Annual Presidents Meeting 2008.
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Media contact:
Ms Jacquelline Heng
Projects Manager
APRU Secretariat
Tel: (65) 6516 8883
Email: jacquelline.heng@apru.org