NUS hosts AUN delegates

Prof Tan addressing delegates at the 4th ASEAN-China Rectors' Conference

The University played host to some 90 university leaders from 26 ASEAN and 10 Chinese universities at the ASEAN University Network (AUN) summit from 28 to 31 July. Three meetings '  the 4th ASEAN-China Rectors' Conference, the 7th AUN Rectors' Meeting and the 31st AUN Board of Trustees' Meeting '  which were held in conjunction with the 25th anniversary of Sino-Singapore diplomatic relations and AUN's 20th anniversary, underscore NUS' deep commitment and ties with ASEAN and Chinese universities.

Speaking on the importance of ASEAN-China strategic partnerships at the opening of the 4th ASEAN-China Rectors' Conference, NUS President Professor Tan Chorh Chuan said, "This reaffirmation of commitment to strategic partnership is also the objective of today's conference, which brings together senior university administrators from ASEAN and China, with a common purpose of discussing and exploring deeper educational collaboration between the two regions.

Among the issues discussed at the conference were ASEAN-China collaboration towards future challenges and priority areas for both ASEAN and China universities. Speakers included Ambassador Yang Xiuping, Secretary-General of the ASEAN-China Center and Dr Choltis Dhirathiti, AUN Deputy Executive Director, who touched on wide-ranging areas of potential partnerships between ASEAN and China.

NUS Vice President for University and Global Relations Professor Andrew Wee shared NUS' engagements in the ASEAN-China community. He highlighted how bilateral collaborations and strategic initiatives such as the establishment of the NUS Suzhou Research Institute are nurturing future-ready graduates and facilitating cutting-edge research. The delegates also contributed to a lively discussion on teaching and learning approaches as a key goal for AUN's 2014-2016 strategies.

The closing dinner, which was held at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum's gallery, overlooking the prized attraction of dinosaur fossils, provided a dramatic backdrop and a fitting end to the four-day meetings.  

Delegates learning more about the exhibits at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum