University presidents form China think tank
An association between the heads of top mainland and SAR universities promises a say for academics in shaping future educational and economic policies.
The Association of University Presidents of China, the first of its kind, was founded late last month in Shanghai between the universities of Peking, Shanghai Jiaotong, Xian Jiaotong, Fudan, Nanjing, Tsinghua, Zhejiang, Chinese University of Hong Kong, University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
The members are professors Chen Jia-er, Xie Sheng-wu, Jiang De-ming, Yang Fu-jia, Jiang Shu-sheng, Wang Da-zhong, Pan Yun-he, Arthur Li Kwok-cheung, Woo Chia-wei and Woo Chia-wei.
The association is seen by Chinese University (CU) president Professor Li, who originated the idea, as a think tank that could lend its expertise to local and central government provision of technological, economic, and educational development.
'We are pleased that we have the blessing of [China's] State Council,' Professor Li said.
The association would examine technological trends and define and source the type of technology most useful to China.
The association is keen to have an active role in a technology-based economy and in raising educational levels.
'We want to be proactive . . . we are looking at practicality,' Professor Li said. 'We, in the Chinese University of Hong Kong, have long and close relations with Chinese universities. We [association members] are enthusiastic about the project, especially Professor Yang from Fudan with whom I had the initial work to establish the association,' he said.
The association hopes to tap academic resources at universities in tackling specialised economical and educational issues. But, when needed, it would call on outside experts when devising strategies and proposals.
'We will be learning as we tackle the issues where we might not be experts ourselves,' he said. 'We will be looking at educational issues and hopefully be able to influence government policy in terms of funding and areas of development.' Among the main issues to be discussed by the association are economy-based higher education and the impact of technology on higher education.
The association, which will meet two to three times a year, will be working out a strategy at the next meeting in Beijing in May during the 100th anniversary of Peking University.
Professor Li said the association had run into many difficulties before it was established, including the decision on who should join.
'We wanted to start off by forming a small club out of the top universities. We intend in future to expand membership,' he said.
'There are 1,080 universities in China and it was not easy to make a decision. Eventually, we drew up a list of criteria including a strong basis in research, outstanding performance, doctorate programmes on offer and a relatively comprehensive profile.' Professor Yang was elected as the first president of the association with Professor Wang from Tsinghua University and Professor Li as vice-presidents.
The group will have liaison offices in Beijing's Tsinghua University and Shanghai's Fudan University to facilitate work and look after educational matters north and south of the Yangtze River respectively. CU would look after Taiwan and Macau.
'We also hope to establish collaborative and co-operative research,' Professor Li said.
