ZJU hosts APRU delegation to strengthen partnerships

On April 25, Prof. Thomas Schneider, chief executive of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU), led a delegation on a tour of Zhejiang University. ZHU Hui, vice chairperson of the Zhejiang University Council, met with the distinguished guests. The meeting was also graced by the presence of officials from the Office of Global Engagement and the Undergraduate School.

ZHU Hui extended her warm welcome to Prof. Schneider and his delegation. She introduced the guests to the educational philosophy of Zhejiang University, highlighting its superb education system focused on nurturing student development, and its proactive strategy for global engagement. She conveyed the University’s commitment to actively engaging in APRU’s activities and projects, including international conferences, student programs, cultural exchanges, and research initiatives, thereby injecting Zhejiang University’s vitality into the growth of the Association.

Prof. Schneider lauded Zhejiang University for its remarkable contributions to the field of education and expressed his gratitude for its substantial support for the construction and development of the Association. He outlined APRU Pentagon, encompassing five major areas: regional collaboration, key areas of cooperation, culture and diversity, teaching and career development, and the future of universities. This initiative is designed to break down information barriers and cultivate a closer partnership among its member institutions.

As a network of leading universities linking the Americas, Asia, and Australasia, APRU brings together thought leaders, researchers, and policy-makers to exchange ideas and collaborate on practical solutions to the challenges of the 21st century. Zhejiang University has cooperated with APRU for some 20 years. It has hosted the APRU Annual Presidents’ Meeting and the Global Health Forum. It also has a particularly strong focus on APRU’s virtual student exchange (VSE) program.