On November 6th 2015, the opening ceremony of the 14th Asian University Presidents Forum was held at the north campus of GDUFS, where 171 representatives from 80 universities in 26 countries attended. The theme of the 14th AUPF was Asian higher education connectivity: vision, process and approach. Attendees were Hans d'Orvi, Special Advisor to the Director-General of the UNESCO and its Former Assistant Director-General for Strategic Planning; LUO Haocai, Vice Chairman for the 9th and 10th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference; CHEN Yuanxian, Vice Governor of Guangdong Province; WEI Zhonglin, Director-General of Education Department of Guangdong Povince; Jekuk Chang, President of Dongseo University, Korea; SUI Guangjun, CPS Secretary of GDUFS; ZHONG Weihe, President of GDUFS; FANG Fanquan, Vice President of GDUFS and other representatives. FANG hosted the opening ceremony.
All members of AUPF singing the anthem
At the beginning of the opening ceremony, a video — Welcome to GDUFS — was shown. Then GDUFS’s students welcomed the representatives warmly in different languages. All representatives sang the anthem of AUPF.
SUI delivered the welcome address. He emphasized that higher education should keep pace with new situations, especially in the time of globalization. Taking GDUFS as a good example, he elaborated the important role which AUPF plays in the development of Asian higher education.
SUI delivering the welcome address
CHEN Yunxian pointed out that AUPF is a helpful platform for academic and cultural communication among the Asian universities. He expressed his expectation that all representatives could make good use of the 14th AUPF to know each other, to learn from each other and to broaden their international horizons, as so to deepen the cooperation and to have more cooperation projects.
CHEN Yunxian delivering a speech
Jekuk Chang showed his heartfelt thanks to all the staff who were working for the 14th AUPF and expressed best wishes to the 50th anniversaries of GDUFS and the 14th of AUPF.
Jekuk Chang delivering a speech
During the opening ceremony, LUO, CHEN, WEI, SUI and ZHONG electronically unveiled together the sculpture of the 14th AUPF.
Unveiling the sculpture of the 14th AUPF
After the tea break, Hans d'Orvi gave a keynote speech. He clarified the importance of higher education and scientific research concerning overcoming worldwide challenges; analyzed the dilemma of higher education; made some suggestions, and showed his vision for the future of higher education.
Hans d'Orvi delievering a keynote speech
ZHONG gave a speech on Promoting Interconnectivity for the Future of Asian Higher Education. He firstly showed the importance of cooperation among Asian universities. He introduced the success that GDUFS has achieved in the field of internationalization, and expressed thanks for the strong support from other Asian universities. Finally, he gave five proposals for the 14th AUPF.
ZHONG delivering a keynote speech
Participating Institutions in the 14th AUPF
From Bangladesh:
Daffodil International University
Southern University of Bangladesh
From Cambodia:
Build Bright University
Cambodian University for Specialties
Norton University
From Canada:
Kwantlen Polytechnic University
From Cape Verde:
Sino-Cape Verde Friendship Association
Universidade De Cabo Verde
From China:
Anhui University
Beijing Normal University - Hong Kong Baptist University United International College
Beijing Technology and Business University
Chaoshan Vocational and Technical College
Chongqing Technology and Business University
Guangdong Police College
Guangdong University of Finance
Guangdong University of Finance & Economics
Guangdong University of Foreign Studies
Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology
Guangzhou Maritime Institute
Guangzhou Medical University
Hanshan Normal University
Huizhou University
Lingnan Normal University
Nanjing University of Finance & Economics
Shanghai International Studies University
Shantou University
Sichuan International Studies University
South China Normal University
Yangzhou University
Zhejiang Gongshang University
Hong Kong Institute of Education, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Macao Polytechnic Institute, Macao Special Administrative Region
Ling Tung University, Taiwan
Open University of Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages, Taiwan
From France:
ESC Rennes School of Business
From India:
VIT University
From Indonesia:
Potensi Utama University
Sultan Agung Islamic University
Universitas Negeri Jakarta
Universitas Sari Mutiara Indonesia
Universitas Ubudiyah Indonesia
University Pembangunan Panca Budi
Yogyakarta State University
From Israel:
Galilee International Management Institute
From Japan:
Asia University
Hannan University
Josai University
Kanagawa Institute of Technology
Kanagawa University
Kobe College
Kyoto University of Foreign Studies
Sapporo University
From Korea:
Busan University of Foreign Studies
Chosun University
Dongseo University
From Malaysia:
Universiti Malaysia Perlis
From Mauritius:
Alif Society
From Myanmar:
University of Yangon
From Pakistan:
National University of Modern Languages
From Peru:
Universidad Catolica de Santa Maria
From the Philippines:
Our Lady of Fatima University
Panpacific University North Philippines
Philippine Normal University
University of Santo Tomas
From Poland:
AGH University of Science and Technology
Jagiellonian University
From Russia:
Moscow State Linguistic University
Ural Federal University
From Thailand:
Bangkok University
Christian University of Thailand
Mahasarakham University
Naresuan University
From the United Kingdom:
Coventry University
University of Central Lancashire
The University of Westminster
From the United States:
Harding University
From Vietnam:
Ho Chi Minh City University of Transport
University of Social Sciences and Humanities
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