Australian PM highlights APRU as platform for regional collaborative research
November 13, 2009 - During a speech at the National University of Singapore (NUS), the Honourable Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister of Australia, spoke on the power of transformative education and the linkages that it has built between Australia and Asia.
Prime Minister Rudd cited Australia’s alliance with countries in Asia particularly Singapore, as both nations share the desire for enduring peace and development. He also paid tribute to NUS and Singapore’s commitment in global education.
“(NUS’s) hosting of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities also demonstrates (its) very real commitment to cooperative research and teaching, to the benefit of all,” said the Prime Minister.
In his welcome remarks, NUS President, Professor Tan Chorh Chuan, also spoke of both countries’ belief in the power of education in transforming and shaping the world, and in building cross-cultural understanding.
Prime Minister Rudd further described Asia as the center of gravity of progress in the 21st century and how education acts as a catalyst towards its sustainable development.
He announced A$18 million for a new international scholarship program to be launched in 2010. Asia will be focus of the initial phase of “The Australia Awards” that will provide scholarships for university students from both continents.
The Australian Prime Minister also spoke of how education fosters tolerance, builds harmony and provides better opportunity towards economic and environmental sustainability. The scholarship program will promote student mobility and expand the knowledge base of students, who will be future leaders of the global community.
Prime Minister Rudd emphasized that “Nations can no longer afford to see themselves as isolated in this rapidly changing world. In order to progress, we need to understand more about our neighbours.”
To read more about the Honuorable Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister of Australia’s visit to NUS, please click here.
Media contact:
Ms Cheryl Torrado
Program Manager
APRU Secretariat
Tel: (65) 6516 5710
Email: cheryl.torrado@apru.org
