Senior International Leaders’ Meeting 2018

16th Senior International Leaders’ Meeting

16th Senior International Leaders’ Meeting, Hong Kong, October 8-10, 2018

Host: The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Click here to view the meeting program.

The 16th Senior International Leaders’ Meeting held on HKUST campus welcomed more than 70 delegates to deliberate on ‘APRU’s New Strategic Plan’ which refines the network’s strategy and directions for the next three years.

The three-day meeting was kicked off by President Wei Shyy’s keynote address on ‘HKUST in the Age of Innovation: Contributions, Opportunities and Expectations’ which set the scene for the discussion.

HKUST President Wei Shyy (second on the left) delivered the keynote address

Professor Juan-Carlos Molleda, Dean of School of Journalism and Communication, University of Oregon highlighted their Media Center for Science and Technology (MCST)’s new model for science and technology communications using storytelling. Molleda pointed out collaborations among APRU members, developing industry partnerships around science communication research and practice, and engaging students in professional development training are pivotal to better communicate the impact of science and technology to the public.

Professor Juan-Carlos Modella, University of Oregon, calls for partnerships to explore better communication of science and technology to the public

On the panel ‘APRU and APEC: Closing the Digital Skills Gap,’ representatives from APEC Project DARE (Data Analytics Raising Employment) Secretariat presented their findings from the recent workshop which aimed at preparing the workforce for the digital age. In developing Asia-Pacific economies’ competency and addressing the gap of digital literacy, panelists called for cross-disciplinary collaborations, as well as partnerships among universities, industry and governments.

Panelists addressed how partnerships address the shortage of digital literate workforce. L-R: Adriana Rojas, Tecnológico de Monterrey; Patricia Wu, C&M International and APEC Project DARE Secretariat; and Christopher Watson, US Department of Labor

Drawing on inputs from partners and research-related hubs, participants were invited to share their insights on the draft Strategic Plan and the implementation of strategy in breakout groups and in the speaking frankly session. Candid feedback on members’ aspirations of the network and the international impact that all members can make collectively were heard.

Panel on APRU Research-Related Programs draws out the impact various programs achieved and identifies key action forward

The meeting also saw the launch of the APRU Impact Report 2018– Amplifying Impact: Transformative solutions to Asia-Pacific challenges. The report provides metrics and case studies that show the ways that APRU and its member universities are responding to the complexity of global challenges.

Breakout group discussion on draft Strategic Plan

Professor Toshiya Ueki reports back on the discussion of the breakout group to the meeting

Speaking frankly session

Members of Editorial Advisory Group of Impact Report share on how to communicate the report findings to the university community

On the same occasion, the APRU-The New York Times Asia-Pacific Student Case Competition on Artificial Intelligence 2018 also announced its winners. A team of three students from The University of Auckland clinched the competition, while teams from National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University were the first and the second runners-up respectively.

Participants viewing the video featuring the winning team from The University of Auckland

Presentation of trophy to the winning team. L-R: Christopher Tremewan, APRU Secretary General; Deborah McAllister, The University of Auckland; Helena Phua, The New York Times; Jenny Dixon, The University of Auckland; Carl Worker, New Zealand Consul General of Hong Kong

The celebratory event also featured an expert panel on ‘AI For Good: Advancing Ethical, Transparent, and Equitable Strategies for AI’ where panelists discussed the promises of AI and where its solutions lay with respect to environmental sustainability, gender equity, representation of marginalized communities in data, civil rights and surveillance.

L-R: Chong-Fuk Lau, The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Bárbara Navarro, Google; and Christine Loh, HKUST and Former Under Secretary for the Environment; and Jeffrey Riedinger, University of Washington

APRU Senior International Leaders’ Meeting 2019 will be hosted by The University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada on September 18-20, 2019.