The Vice Presidents for Research Meetings brings together university leadership in strategic and sustainable collaborative research. Through this platform, APRU’s VPs for Research network addresses critical issues in the future of research universities, policies, funding, technological transfer and enterprise in research-intensive universities in the Pacific Rim.  

The 6th Association of Pacific Rim Universities Vice Presidents for Research Meeting (APRU-VPRM) will be held at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) from April 21st to 23rd. On the morning of April 22rd, the opening ceremony officially commenced with the warm welcome from Prof. LIU Weidong, Director-General of the Bureau of International Cooperation of the Chinese Academy of Science (CAS). In his speech, Prof. LIU gave a brief introduction of CAS’s major research institutes and international cooperation programs. He stressed that CAS puts a big emphasis on global academic cooperation and hopes to strengthen the academic partnership for the promotion of sustainable development. Prof. LIU delivered opening speech. (Image by USTC) Prof. YANG Jinlong, Vice President from USTC, also extended warm greetings to all attendants and echoed a strong hope for fostering collaborative relationships in science around the Asian-Pacific region. He pointed out that science has no borders, and human progress is inextricably linked to international cooperation. Prof. YANG in his speech. (Image by USTC) The Chief Executive of APRU, Thomas Schneider, thanked USTC for hosting the meeting in his opening remarks. He said, “We recognize the distinct promise that any place across the Asia Pacific holds for its own future, in terms of local identity, resources, and development. The University of Science and Technology of China is precisely a paragon of the promise that a place holds. As a consortium spanning the entire Pacific Ocean, it is APRU’s objective to partner with its diverse member institutions and other stakeholders, to explore, as the theme of this meeting emphasizes, Collaborative Research for A Better Future.” Thomas Schneider of APRU in his speech. (Image by USTC) After the welcome, Prof. FENG Donglai delivered a keynote address on ‘Collaborative Research for a Better Future – Large Science Facilities (LSFs)’. In his speech, Prof. FENG stressed the importance and the promising prospects of collaboration in LSFs. “LSFs are natural platforms for international collaborations”, he noted. In China, with more advanced LSFs under construction, researchers are seeking to enhance LSF accessibility to international users. Prof. FENG delivered the keynote address. (Image by USTC) Q&A session after Prof. FENG’s keynote address. (Image by USTC) The opening ceremony ended in a warm round of applause. During the next two days, five panel discussions will be held, including Fostering Innovation at Universities for Impact, Advancing Research in Emerging Technologies and so on. May this year’s meeting lead to partnership that advance researches and address global challenges. (Written by WU Yuyang and SHI Yutian, edited by ZHANG Yihang, USTC News Center)

Original post on CU News On 29-30 October 2019, Chulalongkorn University hosted the “5th APRU Vice Presidents for Research Meeting” on the topic “Strategic Research Partnership for Better and Sustainable Societies”.  President Bundhit Eua-arporn presided over the opening ceremony and welcomed all the partner universities from the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU). The meeting discussions included various topics with special talks on “Sustainable Development Challenges for the 21st Century” by Dr. Hongjoo Hahm, Deputy Executive Secretary from UN-ESCAP; “Green Chemistry” by Dr. John C. Warner,  President and Chief Technology Officer from Warner Babcock Institute for Green Chemistry, LLC; “Chula Innovation Hub & Enterprise” by Dr. Natcha Thawesaengskulthai, Vice President for Innovation and New Development; and “From University to Universality: Sustaining Development Goals Now!” by Professor Emeritus Vitit Muntarbhorn, Faculty of Law, Chulalongkorn University. The Association of Pacific Rim Universities was established in 1997 with cooperation from presidents of four universities: California Institute of Technology, University of California (Berkeley), University of California (Los Angeles), and University of Southern California.  APRU aims to foster a network of leading universities, researchers, and policymakers to contribute to the economic, scientific, and cultural progression in the Pacific Rim.  Currently, APRU has 45 partner universities from 16 countries in the Pacific region. More information about APRU Vice Presidents for Research Meeting 2019