President Li Jiajun Attends the 8th China-Japan Universities Presidents Forum

From October 31 to November 2, 2013, the 8th China-Japan Universities Presidents Forum was held at Xiamen University. TJU President Li Jiajun attended the event.

This forum included three themes, including “Perception of the World-Class Universities”, “the Differences and Similarities of Higher Education between China and Japan”, and “Advantages and Disadvantages of Exchange and Cooperation between Chinese and Japanese Universities”. Representatives from 22 Chinese universities and institutions including the Ministry of Education and Peking University and 22 Japanese universities and institutions attended the forum.

President Li presided over the sub-forums themed “the differences and similarities of higher education between China and Japan”, and “advantages and disadvantages of exchange and cooperation between Chinese and Japanese universities”. He pointed out that universities of both China and Japan had common challenges and responsibilities. Both sides could find ways to solve these problems as long as they had unshakable beliefs.

During the forum, President Li also met Deputy Vice President (International Affair) Masahiro Kihara of Kyoto University, President Fukuda Hideki of Kobe University, and Executive Vice President (General Affairs, International Relations and Academic Affairs) Toshiya Ueki of Tohoku University.

During the meeting with Deputy Vice President Kihara, President Li recalled his attendance to the 7th China-Japan Universities Presidents Forum two years ago held at Kyoto University. Also, he updated Deputy Vice President Kihara on the exchange of TJU’s materials science with Japan, and the Co-Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering. Additionally, he hoped to develop cooperation with Kyoto University in the field of medicine. Deputy Vice President Kihara presented an overview of the history and research achievements of Kyoto University, as well as the university’s new international strategy “The 2× by 2020 Initiative” and “Hakubi Project”. He hoped to develop further cooperation with TJU.

At the meeting with President Hideki, President Li gave a presentation on TJU’s joint research centers with Japan, U.S., and Australia in the areas of materials and environment. President Hideki introduced Kobe University’s Integrated Research Center. He showed strong interest in TJU’s Co-Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, hoping to deepen cooperation in this area between the two universities in addition to promoting the exchange of post-graduate students.

At their meeting, both Executive Vice President Ueki and President Li hoped to further enhance their cooperation in materials science, and develop exchange in the areas of law. Also, on behalf of President Susumu Satomi, Executive Vice President Ueki extended his invitation to President Li to visit Tohoku University again at his convenience.

The sub-forum for discussion and exchange between Chinese and Japanese university students was held, for the first time, during this Presidential Forum. 61 student representatives, from both China and Japan, held a heated discussion.. Two student representatives, Zhou Mao and Ma Li, respectively from TJU’s Qiushi College and the School of Electronic Information, participated in this discussion. They both gave speeches entitled “World-Class Universities in My Eyes”.

Attendees from TJU to this Forum also included representatives from the Office of the President, the Office of Undergraduate Affairs, the Office of Science and Technology, and the Graduate School.