APRU IS JOINED BY FIVE LEADING RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES
 

September 22, 2008 - The Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU)'s 37 research universities were recently joined by four Asian universities and a Latin American university.  After obtaining a two-thirds majority vote at the APRU Steering Committee level, Korea University, Nanjing University, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Tohoku University and University of Hong Kong went on to secure a three-fourths majority vote from APRU's membership.  The addition of these five new members brings the total membership of APRU to 42.

The five new member universities are not only premier research universities in their respective regions but also globally-oriented with strong outreach activities in the Pacific Rim community.

Over the years, APRU membership criteria have been stringent, admitting only one leading research university in the Asia Pacific every few years through membership voting.  A paced and measured approach towards membership admission was taken over the last decade as the objective was to steadily develop and strengthen programs within the association. 

With APRU's expanding reputation, an increasing number of universities had sought membership into APRU.  The APRU Steering Committee decided that having several quality research universities admitted into APRU before closing new members' applications for an extended period would allow APRU to better maintain the geographical balance between the regions while upholding standards.  This would also ensure that a select group of leading universities could join current member universities in their dedicated efforts to expand educational, economic, and technological cooperation among the Pacific Rim economies.  

The five new member universities possess a common commitment to excellence in teaching and research.  They have uniquely developed a number of quality educational programs and conduct research that impact both Asia Pacific and the world.  Their diverse strengths to the APRU community will further benefit the APRU consortium.

* More information on APRU membership criteria and admission process can be obtained at: http://www.apru.org/about/membership.htm.

The list of APRU members can be found at: http://www.apru.org/about/members.htm.

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Media contact:

Ms Jacquelline Heng
Projects Manager
APRU Secretariat
Tel: (65) 6516 8883
Email: jacquelline.heng@apru.org