The 14th Annual Presidents Meeting, hosted by the University of Auckland from June 30 to July 2, 2010, included a forum centered on the theme “Global Challenges – Pacific Perspectives”. A total of 18 APRU presidents and 57 senior staff and delegates from 32 member institutions discussed topics revolving around key challenges facing the Pacific Rim including climate change, trade, population flows, security and international relations, and the leadership role that APRU universities play in their respective economies in addressing regional issues and fostering regional cooperation.
Appointment of new APRU Chair and Steering Committee Members
Chancellor Henry T. Yang of the University of California, Santa Barbara was elected Chair of APRU. Other new Steering Committee members include the Vice-Chancellor of The University of Auckland and host of the 14th APM, Stuart McCutcheon, President Jean-Lou Chameau of the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and President Jianguo Hou of the University of Science and Technology of China.
Together with The University of Auckland’s Vice-Chancellor Stuart McCutcheon, and APRU’s Interim Chair and President of Zhejiang University Wei Yang, Auckland City Mayor John Banks welcomed APRU Presidents and Senior Staff at the Mayor’s Reception held at the historic Auckland Town Hall. The University of Auckland’s Chancellor Roger France and New Zealand's Chief Executive Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr John Allen, addressed the APM participants at the Welcome Dinner.
July 1: APRU Forum and Presidents’ Dinner
Distinguished speakers at the APRU Forum included top government and academic leaders, and notable faculty and alumni of The University of Auckland.
Breakfast Talk: Dr David Budgett, Technology Development Leader, Auckland
Bioengineering Institute at The University of Auckland discusses new technologies in the field of biomedical engineering.
APRU Interim Chair and Zhejiang University President Wei Yang presents a token of appreciation to The University of Auckland’s Vice-Chancellor Stuart McCutcheon.
(L-R): UoA Vice-Chancellor Professor McCutcheon with Rt Hon Mike Moore, New Zealand Ambassador to the United States-Elect and Mr Colin James, New Zealand political journalist, during the panel session on "Regional Challenges, New Zealand Perspectives". Photo credit: The University of Auckland
(L-R) University of Washington President Mark Emmert with panel session speakers,
Professor Glenn McGregor, Director of the School of the Environment at The University of Auckland, Professor John Montgomery, Director of Leigh Laboratory at The University of Auckland and Professor Rajesh Chandra, Vice-Chancellor of University of the South Pacific.
Photo credit: The University of Auckland
(L-R): University of Hong Kong President Lap-Chee Tsui and Professor Zha Daojiong of the School of International Studies at Peking University listen to Professor Thomas Fingar, Oksenberg/Rohlen, Distinguished Fellow of the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University as he addresses questions from the audience. Photo credit: The University of Auckland
Panel session on “APRU Responses to Asia-Pacific Issues” comprising APRU Presidents and Senior Staff. President Atsushi Seike of Keio University (not pictured) chaired the session.
July 2: APRU Business Meeting
Key APRU matters such as the Steering Committee elections and review of APRU’s membership fees were discussed as part of the business meeting. This was followed by the Presidents Open Forum which featured global challenges and other Pacific Rim issues related to the APM theme as well as highlights of new initiatives and developments in APRU member campuses.
Breakfast Talk: Special Projects Supervisor for Weta Digital, Scientific and Engineering Oscar winner, Dr Mark Sagar speaks of the interdisciplinary nature of human digital imagery in films and interactive media and how these can lead to the development of powerful medical tools.
Overview
