APRU is a consortium of 42 leading research universities in the Pacific Rim. The consortium aims to foster cooperation in education, research and enterprise thereby contributing to the economic, scientific and cultural advancement of the Pacific Rim.
History
Four Californian university leaders - President Steven B. Sample of the University of Southern California, Chancellor Charles Young of University of California, Los Angeles, President Thomas Everhart of California Institute of Technology and Chancellor Chang-Lin Tien of University of California, Berkeley – came together and envisioned a premier alliance of leading research universities focused on the advancement of the Pacific Rim. With this goal in mind, the Association of Pacific Rim Universities was established in 1997 with leading universities across the Americas, Asia and Australasia, to contribute to the development of an increasingly integrated Pacific Rim community.
APRU began with 34 charter members with the declaration: “The objective of this association of chief executive officers of premier universities around the Pacific Rim is to help these institutions become more effective contributors to the development of an increasingly integrated Pacific Rim community.”
The first annual meeting of presidents took place in Los Angeles from June 1 to 3, 1997. Twenty university leaders attended this meeting.
Mission
APRU aims to promote scientific, educational and cultural collaboration among Pacific Rim economies. In both its objectives and guiding principles, APRU embodies a commitment to global academic and research standards.
APRU recognizes that its activities can be powerful catalysts for expanding educational, economic and technological cooperation among Pacific Rim economies. The association seeks to promote dialogue and collaboration between academic institutions in the Pacific Rim so that they can become effective players in today's global knowledge economy.
Professor Yuichiro Anzai
Former President, Keio University
2006-2008:
Professor Gavin Brown FAA CorrFRSE
Inaugural Director, Royal Institution of Australia
Former Vice-Chancellor and Principal, University of Sydney
2002-2006:
Professor Choon Fong Shih
President, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
Former President, National University of Singapore
1997-2002:
Professor Steven B. Sample
Former President, University of Southern California
Steering Committee
The Steering Committee provides leadership for the association. Members of the Steering Committee are presidents elected from member universities in the Americas, Asia and Australasia. The APRU Chair heads the Steering Committee.
Secretary General and the Secretariat
Currently based in Singapore, the Secretariat is headed by Dr Christopher Tremewan, Secretary General.
Dr Lawrence Loh
Associate Professor, National University of Singapore
Former Vice President (University and Global Relations), National University of Singapore
1997-2002:
Dr Richard Drobnick
Director, Center for International Business Education and Research
Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California
Member universities
To see who our members are, please click here.
Our members’ profiles are also available here.
Welcome Message
