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China-Australia University Presidents Forum and First Meeting of China-Australia Research University Alliance Successfully Held in Adelaide

On May 29, the China-Australia University Presidents Forum and the first meeting of the China-Australia Research University Alliance were held in Adelaide, Australia. The forum was co-hosted by the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE) and the Group of Eight Australia (Go8) . Opening remarks were delivered by Fu Bo, Deputy Secretary-General of CEAIE, and Mark Scott, Chair of the Go8 and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sydney. Welcome remarks were given by Peter Høj, Deputy Chair of the Go8 and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Adelaide. Li Wei, Minister Counsellor from the Education Office at the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Australia, attended the meeting. More than 80 presidents and representatives from 22 leading Chinese universities and 8 leading research-intensive universities of Australia participated in the forum. The forum was chaired by Ms. Vicki Thompson, Chief Executive of the Go8.

Top Left: Fu Bo, Deputy Secretary-General of CEAIE
Top Right: Mark Scott, Chair of the Go8 and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sydney
Bottom Left: Peter Høj, Deputy Chair of the Go8 and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Adelaide
Bottom Right: Vicki Thompson, Chief Executive of the Go8

Fu Bo emphasized that the Chinese government highly values education and prioritizes it as a strategic development area. She pointed out that China is currently undergoing a transition to develop new productive forces driven by innovation, with vast market potential. Higher education is a crucial engine for knowledge innovation and social progress. The continuous improvement in talent cultivation quality, research cooperation, and international reputation of high-level research universities plays a significant role in supporting social, economic, and technological development. She expressed the need to deepen China-Australian cooperation in higher education to address global challenges, leverage complementary advantages, promote mutual interests, and find and implement mutually beneficial cooperation methods. She expressed hope to continue joint efforts between China and Australia to advance high-level research cooperation.

In his speech, Mark Scott looked back on the longstanding partnership between Chinese and Australian universities, highlighting the importance of Chinese students and universities to all Go8 members. He noted that collaboration between Chinese and Australian universities not only facilitates resource sharing but also fosters mutual development through shared learning and building.

Tang Lixin, Vice President of Northeastern University, and Mark Scott delivered keynote speeches on trends in higher education in China and Australia. During the panel discussions , senior representatives from universities shared their experiences and practices on topics, including research innovation and international cooperation in key research areas, future collaboration on joint development of research talents and joint research, , and promoting cooperation with governments and enterprises, and the commercialisation of research outcomes. Duncan Maskell, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne, Michael Wesley, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne, Colin Grant, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Global of UNSW Sydney, Gao Liang, Vice President of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Sharon Pickering, Vice-Chancellor of Monash University, Craig Jeffrey, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Monash University, Alastair Hick, Chief Business Officer of Monash University, Ding Aijun, Associate Vice-President of Nanjing University, Jessica Gallagher, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Adelaide, Li Rongyu, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Queensland, Dean Moss, Chief Executive Officer UniQuestof University of Queensland, Li Weiqing, Vice-President of South China University of Technology, Zhang Jin, Vice-President of Peking University, Zhao Gang, Vice-President of Beijing Foreign Studies University, Xu Hongbing, Vice-President of the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, and Fang Yulin, Vice-President of Northwest A&F University, participated in the discussions.

Participants agreed that China and Australia are important research and education partners in their respective regions, with complementary advantages and shared interests. They emphasized the need for deepened cooperation and open dialogue to explore new collaborative methods and areas to tackle global challenges such as climate change, food security, and sustainable development. Such joint efforts would benefit both societies.

The delegation also visited the University of Adelaide, where they were briefed on the university's research in medicine, viticulture, and oenology, and learned about its successful practices in research cooperation and application. This visit aimed to further promote cooperation and exchange between China and Australia in key areas.

This forum was a key event during Chinese University Delegation’s visit to Australia. The delegation comprised senior representatives from 22 leading Chinese universities. It was the first and largest Chinese university delegation to visit Australia since the pandemic.

(Provided by the Department of International Cooperation)