The 12th Annual Presidents Meeting and APRU Forum hosted by Keio University from June 26 to 28, 2008 saw the appointment of a new Chairman, the election of members to the new APRU Steering Committee, and distinguished speakers and keynotes at the 3-day event. 69 member presidents and senior staff attended the meeting.
Appointment of Chairman and Steering Committee Elections
President Yuichiro Anzai of Keio University was elected Chairman of APRU, taking over from Vice-Chancellor Gavin Brown of University of Sydney. Professor Brown has been appointed as the inaugural Director of The Royal Institution of Australia (RiAus). He will retire as Vice-Chancellor and Principal of University of Sydney on July 10, 2008, after 12 years in the position.
Other presidential members of the new Steering Committee elected were: Vice-Chancellor Glyn Davis of University of Melbourne, President Vladimir Kurilov of Far Eastern National University, President Steven Sample of University of Southern California, President Shih Choon Fong of National University of Singapore, Rector Gumilar Rusliwa Somantri of University of Indonesia, Chancellor Henry Yang of University of California, Santa Barbara, and President Yang Wei of Zhejiang University.
Symbolic moment: Preceding Chairman Professor Gavin Brown AO (left) handing the gavel to new APRU Chairman Professor Yuichiro Anzai (right).
Members discussing issues at the Business Meeting on June 28.
APRU Forum and Business Meeting - Keio Celebrates its 150th Anniversary in conjunction with the meeting
The theme of this year's APRU Forum was "Tradition and Innovation in Higher Education". Special and keynote speakers included Mr Isao Kiso, Director-General for International Affairs, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science & Technology (MEXT) of Japan, and Dr Sadako Ogata, former United Nations Higher Commissioner for Refugees. The APRU Forum comprised panel speakers from the government and industry, including former cabinet ministers and top executives from IBM Japan and Toyota Motor Corporation.
Presidents engaged one another in small group discussions on issues of environmental sustainability, competition and collaboration between universities, management and governance. A gala dinner celebrating Keio University's 150th Anniversary held in conjunction with APM 2008 was graced by the Prime Minister of Japan, His Excellency Mr Yasuo Fukuda, who addressed APRU presidents on the need to enhance cooperation of leading Pacific Rim universities to the benefit of the region and beyond.
Secretary General Emeritus Dr Richard Drobnick (left) speaking with special guest Dr Sadako Ogata (right), at the Welcome Dinner on June 26.
Keynote speaker Mr Isao Kiso (right) responding to a question from the floor. Professor Yuichiro Anzai (left) was the moderator for the session.
Professor Heizo Takenaka, Japan's former Minister of Internal Affairs & Communications (left) and President Lee Jang-Moo of Seoul National University (right) at the Government Leaders Session.
Government Leaders Panel:
Mr Shotaro Yachi, Japan's former Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, gave a presentation on "Diplomacy and its Role for Knowledge Exchanges". President Stephen Toope of University of British Columbia was the moderator.
Business Leaders Session (left to right):
Mr Katsuaki Watanabe, President and Representative Director of Toyota Motor Corporation, President Zhu Qingshi, University of Science and Technology of China, Mr Kakutaro Kitashiro, Senior Advisor of IBM Japan Ltd, and Chancellor Gene Block, University of California, Los Angeles.
Secretary General Dr Kenneth McGillivray speaking with Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda at the gala dinner celebrating Keio University's 150th Anniversary
Overview
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