Led by Tecnológico de Monterrey, the APRU Open Dialogues Pilot aims to develop a collaborative model for promoting sustained dialogues among the consortium universities

Original Post on News – Department of Population and Public Health Sciences / University of Southern California   This fall marks 10 years since Mellissa Withers, PhD, MHS, began serving as the Director of the Global Health Program of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU), a consortium of 60 international universities. This network provides students a chance to deep dive into prevailing global health challenges while learning from their peers living across several countries shaped by different cultures, perspectives, and experiences. “While it’s important for our students to learn the theory and frameworks of global health presented in textbooks and learned in the classroom, being able to actually go out and apply it through experiential learning is a beneficial opportunity that is really important for our students,” explains Withers, who also serves as an associate professor and the director of pedagogical enrichment and training in the Department of Population and Public Health Sciences at Keck School of Medicine of USC. The APRU was founded in 1997 by the presidents of four Californian universities who wanted to build multidisciplinary collaborations across the pacific. In 2007, USC established a new program in global health which became its largest program, focusing on the students, education and training. “I am fortunate that the USC Office of the Provost has continued to support my position in this role to expand our global health initiatives,” says Withers. During her tenure, Withers has developed several vibrant initiatives including joint courses which have run for the past nine years. Every fall, she leads a course called ‘Global Health Leadership in the Real World’ bringing together five to seven universities. This semester, students from China, Thailand, Singapore, Mexico, and USC, simultaneously logged in from different time zones for two hours every week, over a ten-week period. The first half of the class featured a renowned global health guest speaker, who imparted their varied expertise and experiences in the field. Past speakers included the Former Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Former Associate Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), and a former Minister of Health from Costa Rica. In the second half of each class, students dissected case studies with instructors working in small groups representative of the five countries in attendance, to exchange ideas and debate global health concepts. “In Global Health we talk a lot about the importance of interdisciplinary solutions and collaborations, but it’s not too often that you see so many disciplines, countries and economies represented in one activity, training program or conference,” she reports.  Another ongoing class following a similar model is a course in ‘Global Health Ethics,’ bringing together students from Ecuador, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Mexico, the Philippines and the U.S. The student body is not only diverse in terms of location, but also features various college majors including medicine, pharmacy, law, anthropology, engineering, and art. “The representation of a wide range of disciplines is really critical to prepare the next cohort of global health leaders,” she affirms. “Since these courses were well received, with high demand and limited space, we decided to develop other key initiatives to engage students,” she reveals. This led to the creation of the ‘Global Health Student Poster Contest’ held concurrently at the APRU Annual Conference. A highlight of this contest is that all the student’s posters are accepted and displayed, giving them an opportunity to showcase their work at an international scientific conference. “This helps to break down some equity barriers for students who cannot afford to fly or participate in international trips,” she indicates. This year’s conference will be held in Latin America for the first time. Undergraduate and graduate students are invited to submit their posters which are judged by committee members. This month, eight students from USC’s programs in global medicine, public health, and global health have received funding from the Department of Population and Public Health Sciences and Pearson to attend the conference in Mexico City. There, they will present their work or serve as moderators. A recent graduate from the Master of Public Health program, Brooke Edwards, MPH, has been selected as a finalist for her poster on physical therapy among liver transplant patients. Another initiative Withers oversees is the ‘Annual Virtual Global Health Case Competition,’ where the winning team receives $1,000. In the past, the competition hosted 40-50 teams, but this year it attracted 100 teams from over 20 countries. This year, the APRU partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to create a challenge addressing the needs of migrants and refugees in urban settings and health care. Teams of three to six students were given 12 weeks to create a proposal to address the challenge. Past challenges included topics around tobacco control, mental health, disaster preparedness, using social media to promote exercise, and addressing the infodemic. There are many opportunities for students to develop their skillset in global health at USC. “I hope our students walk away from these experiences with a deeper understanding of cross-cultural competencies, feeling like global citizens, with greater confidence, effective communication, and leadership skills,” she concludes.

The APRU Annual Report 2026 highlights how APRU’s network continues to advance purpose‑driven, transnational collaboration to address shared regional and global challenges. Over the past year, APRU convened its community through 38 activities across the Pacific Rim, engaging more than 4,000 leaders, researchers, and students. These efforts strengthened collective action in areas including artificial intelligence, sustainability, global health, disaster resilience, biodiversity, food security, and human longevity, demonstrating the power of trust‑based collaboration across borders, systems, and cultures. A central pillar of APRU’s mission remains the empowerment of future leaders. In 2025, more than 2,000 students participated in APRU’s student leadership programs, gaining cross‑cultural experience and practical skills to lead on global citizenship, climate action, and inclusive innovation. These initiatives reflect APRU’s commitment to preparing the next generation to address complex challenges with empathy, integrity, and collaboration. The Annual Report also recognizes the essential role of APRU’s members and hosts, and extends sincere thanks to the many institutions and leaders who drive the network forward—by hosting programs, serving on advisory bodies, and enabling faculty and students to engage meaningfully in APRU activities. Together, the achievements captured in the APRU Annual Report 2026 illustrate how universities, working collectively through trusted networks, can play a critical role in shaping a more sustainable, just, and connected future.

APRU Annual Report 2025: Diplomacy and Determination The APRU Annual Report 2025, titled Diplomacy and Determination, captures a pivotal year of innovation, resilience, and global collaboration across the Pacific Rim. As higher education faces mounting geopolitical, environmental, and technological challenges, APRU continues to lead with purpose—uniting 62 member universities from 18 economies to shape a more inclusive, sustainable, and interconnected future. This year’s report highlights APRU’s role as a platform for multilateral academic diplomacy, showcasing impactful programs in: Artificial Intelligence & Data for Social Good Global Health & Pandemic Resilience Biodiversity, Sustainability & Climate Action Disaster Risk Reduction & Multi-Hazards Preparedness Gender Equity & Indigenous Knowledges Student Leadership & Virtual Exchange From the Annual Presidents’ Meeting in Auckland to the Senior International Leaders’ Meeting in Tokyo and the Vice Presidents for Research Meeting in Hefei, APRU convened thought leaders to address shared challenges and co-create solutions. The report also celebrates the expansion of student programs, including the Global Climate Change Simulation, SDG Education for Global Citizenship, and the Undergraduate Leaders’ Program. With over 6,000 participants and 41 international events, and growing partnerships with organizations like the United Nations, APEC, Microsoft, and data.org, APRU continues to amplify its global impact through diplomacy, determination, and academic excellence.

Discover the Key Highlights and Achievements from the APRU Annual Report 2024 As the leading network of universities in the Asia-Pacific region, APRU has once again demonstrated its commitment to academic excellence and innovation through the initiatives and achievements highlighted in the APRU Annual Report 2024. This report encompasses key developments across various domains, emphasizing transformative research, impactful collaborations, and strides in sustainability, all aimed at addressing significant global challenges.  In 2024, APRU members undertook several pivotal projects that underscore our collective mission to drive knowledge creation and dissemination. Among the highlights are:  The addition of three new exceptional universities to the APRU network: National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, University of Alberta, and University of Michigan The inauguration of the APRU University of the Future Working Group, a forward-thinking initiative aimed at reimagining higher education in the context of rapid technological advancements and evolving societal needs. The current project underway is the Generative AI in Education project, with support from Microsoft, aimed at understanding the integration of advanced artificial intelligence technologies into the academic environment.  The new APRU Food Security Program aimed at addressing critical challenges in global food systems. This initiative is designed to enhance food availability, accessibility, and sustainability across the Asia-Pacific region, leveraging the collective expertise of APRU member universities. The success of the 2024 APEC University Leaders’ Forum on Biodiversity brought together nearly 100 leading academic experts, policymakers, and industry leaders to address pressing biodiversity challenges. The forum emphasized the critical role of universities in advancing research and fostering collaboration across the Asia-Pacific region to protect and sustain biodiversity. Furthermore, our commitment to fostering a more inclusive and equitable academic environment has been evident through various diversity and inclusion programs implemented throughout the year. These efforts reflect our dedication to cultivating a global community where diverse perspectives are not only welcomed but are instrumental in driving forward our collective goals.  As we look ahead, the momentum generated in 2023 inspires us to push the boundaries of academic inquiry and societal impact further. We remain steadfast in our mission to harness the power of collaborative efforts to tackle the complex challenges of our time.

Facing the Challenge of Change: Response and Resilience Facing the Challenge of Change records APRU’s actions and collaborations of 2022-2023. The APRU network has engaged faculty, students, senior administrators and international partners in a wide range of program activities in a fast-changing international environment. APRU will continue to serve, more indispensably than ever before, as a platform of dialogue and a power of change across the Pacific. APRU’s activities work to meet the challenges of higher education and society including topics related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, climate change, health, disaster risk reduction, student mobility, gender equity, sustainability, artificial intelligence, and indigenous knowledges.  

Facing the Challenge of Change: Response and Resilience Facing the Challenge of Change records APRU’s actions and collaborations of 2022-2023. The APRU network has engaged faculty, students, senior administrators and international partners in a wide range of program activities in a fast-changing international environment. APRU will continue to serve, more indispensably than ever before, as a platform of dialogue and a power of change across the Pacific. APRU’s activities work to meet the challenges of higher education and society including topics related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, climate change, health, disaster risk reduction, student mobility, gender equity, sustainability, artificial intelligence, and indigenous knowledges.  

Leaders at the APRU Annual Presidents’ Meeting agree to ratify the APRU Statement on Gender Equity and Diversity. The meeting took place at the University of Malaya in 2016. APRU Presidents’ Statement We believe that universities enhance their contribution to society through accessing the talents of diverse communities. APRU has the opportunity to demonstrate thought leadership, both within and outside the network, to advance equity and diversity across its member universities. We recognize that our universities operate within different contexts and are at different points in progressing these objectives. As university presidents we see consensus on policy principles as an opportunity to unify the network and demonstrate the added value of an international alliance. We therefore endorse the following principles: Diversity at all levels is a key factor in the success of universities. The achievement of diversity requires a commitment to promoting equity and bringing about the associated changes that result in positive and powerful outcomes. APRU universities will work towards making gender equity an integral part of their diversity strategy, organizational structure and culture including their strategic objectives and senior accountabilities. APRU universities will develop a clear, consistent and sustainable policy framework appropriate to their diverse contexts that guides, promotes and reinforces their commitment to gender equity and diversity. APRU universities will commit to collecting and using data to measure progress and inform future strategy and policy. APRU Presidents Kuala Lumpur June 2016