Vice President WU Jian attends 13th Forum for Japanese and Chinese University Presidents

On November 28 and 29, the 13th Forum for Japanese and Chinese University Presidents was held at Hiroshima University in Japan, bringing together academic leaders from both nations. WU Jian, vice president of Zhejiang University, was invited to attend the forum and deliver a speech.

Themed “Diversity and Integration: The Required Talents and Higher Education in the Future,” the forum delved into two main topics: “Utilization of ICT in New University Education in the Post-Covid Era” and “Challenges for Climate Change and Global Issues”. Approximately 160 participants from 37 Japanese and Chinese universities attended the forum. The event also welcomed delegates from some institutions, including Mr. WU Jianghao, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Japan, and Mr. Masaaki Saijo, deputy director-general for the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

During the forum, WU Jian delivered a speech titled “University Education in the Digital Era.” She highlighted the need to nurture students’ character, quality, ability and knowledge in the era of digital intelligence. She also championed the organic integration of educational concepts with digital technology and outlined the requirements for talent cultivation in the digital age from the perspectives of universities, educators, and students. The speech resonated fervently with the audience, prompting leaders from various Chinese and Japanese universities to engage in on-site discussions and raise insightful questions. WU Jian further elaborated on the impact of artificial intelligence on university education and the importance of cultivating high-quality skills in the digital age.

In addition to her speech, WU Jian engaged in discussions with key figures from prominent Japanese universities, including including Vice President Nobuhiro Hayashi at Tokyo Institute of Technology, Vice President Norimi Mizutani at Nagoya University, Vice President Yasuyuki Kono at Kyoto University. Japanese counterparts expressed their anticipation to restore in-person student exchanges with Zhejiang University. Looking ahead, both sides reached a consensus on exploring collaborative prospects in talent cultivation, scientific research, innovation and entrepreneurship, with a view to consolidating and deepening inter-university partnerships.

The Forum for Japanese and Chinese University Presidents, jointly launched by Peking University and the University of Tokyo in 2000, aims to promote cooperation and exchanges between universities in China and Japan. The forum is held biennially, with each side taking turns to host. The forum’s members include 27 Chinese universities and institutions and 24 Japanese universities and institutions. The next forum will be hosted by Huazhong University of Science and Technology in 2025.