By Eva Yin & He Shengnan

On February 16-18, 2023, the ASEAN-China Forum on Cooperation in Higher Education jointly organized by Tianjin University (TJU) and the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) was successfully held at Tianjin University. H.E. Shi Zhongjun, ACC Secretary-General; H.E. Djauhari Oratmangun, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to the People’s Republic of China; H.E. Raja Nushirwan Bin Zainal Abidin, Ambassador of Malaysia to the People’s Republic of China; H.E. Arthayudh Srisamoot, Ambassador of Royal Thai to the People’s Republic of China; Mr. Li Xin, Deputy Director-General, Department of Foreign Expert Services, Ministry of Science and Technology; Ms. Yu Mei, Deputy Director-General of Foreign Affairs Office of Tianjin Municipal People's Government; Prof. Yang Xianjin, Secretary of the CPC of Tianjin University Committee; Prof. Hu Wenping, Executive Vice President, Tianjin University; as well as many experts, teachers and students attended the forum.

Prof. Yang Xianjin extended a warm welcome to all in attendance. He expressed his sincere thanks to the ASEAN-China Centre, the participating embassies, the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Tianjin Municipal People's Government for their steadfast support of TJU, and expressed his hope that everyone takes advantage of the forum to deepen the substantial cooperation with ASEAN countries in the field of higher education and make further contributions to the Belt and Road Initiative.

The opening ceremony was hosted by Prof. Hu Wenping. Dr. Zhang Zhen, Director of the Office of International Cooperation at TJU, began the proceedings by presenting a work report on TJU’s academic cooperation with ASEAN countries and a plan to promote in-depth cooperation with first-class ASEAN universities for mutual development.

In the Honorary Professorship Conferment Ceremony, H.E. Djauhari Oratmangun, H.E. Raja Nushirwan Bin Zainal Abidin and H.E. Arthayudh Srisamoot were awarded TJU Honorary Professorships by Prof. Yang Xianjin. The three ambassadors expressed their pride at becoming faculty members of Tianjin University, praised TJU’s achievements in research and talent cultivation, and looked forward to continuing to boost education cooperation and research collaboration through ACNET-EngTech so as to realize mutual benefits and win-win results. Afterwards, Prof. Yang Xianjin, on behalf of TJU, exchanged gifts with H.E. Shi Zhongjun and the three ambassadors.

Prof. Yang Xianjin confers Honorary Professorships to H.E. Djauhari Oratmangun, H.E. Raja Nushirwan Bin Zainal Abidin and H.E. Arthayudh Srisamoot(from left to right)

During the subsequent ACC Roundtable Series: High-Level Dialogue on Higher Education Cooperation, guests shared their views on higher education cooperation between China and ASEAN countries.

H.E. Shi Zhongjun congratulated the three ambassadors on becoming TJU honorary professors and the organizers for the successful opening of the forum. He emphasized that higher education plays an important role in regional development. There are four areas that educators and diplomats can work on together to better shape the future for higher education in the region. First, strengthen the exchange of policy makers in the field of higher education. Second, provide needed services and guidance to young people pursuing cross-border education. Third, continue to promote the proactive application of digital technology in higher education. And fourth, strengthen the overall design of higher education and industry integration on a cross-border level so as to build a high ground of knowledge and creation in Asia.

H.E. Shi Zhongjun at the forum

H.E. Raja Nushirwan Bin Zainal Abidin pointed out that Malaysia and China have enjoyed close relations based on politics, trade and cultural ties for thousands of years, all underpinned and made possible by deep people-to-people linkages. He stated that education cooperation begins first in the human heart and then radiates to the mind and shared two ideas for promoting even deeper relations in higher education: first, to support ACNET-EngTech as a platform for Malaysian universities to explore cooperation opportunities with Chinese universities in general and Tianjin University in particular, and second, to share resources and experts.

H.E. Raja Nushirwan Bin Zainal Abidin

In his speech, H.E. Djauhari Oratmangun noted that the cooperation in higher education between Indonesia and China lies within the context of bilateral relations. He said that ASEAN provides a solid platform for higher education cooperation and contributes to regional peace, stability and prosperity. His Excellency expected to see more bilateral cooperation in people-to-people communication, economics, culture and in particular, higher education exchanges under the framework of ASEAN.

H.E. Djauhari Oratmangun

H.E. Arthayudh Srisamoot briefed the audience on Thailand’s higher education cooperation with China, especially with Tianjin. He emphasized that education has always been one of the main pillars of Thailand-China cooperation. His Excellency also expressed that Thailand looks forward to further deepening this exchange and cooperation in the spheres of education and scientific research, particularly in fields that align with Thailand’s national development strategies, such as the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy Model.

H.E. Arthayudh Srisamoot

Mr. Li Xin introduced key aspects of China’s scientific and technological performance in recent years, and detailed several innovation and entrepreneurship policies for supporting young foreign talents to come to China. He welcomed colleagues and friends from Asian countries, especially young talents, to come and develop cooperative relations with China through exchange programs and communication platforms.

Mr. Li Xin, Deputy Director-General, Department of Foreign Expert Services, Ministry of Science and Technology

Prof. Hu Wenping delivered a speech centered on the cultivation of excellent engineering talents. He said that education, science and technology, and skilled talents serve as the basic and strategic support for strengthening a country’s all-round construction, which applies not only to China, but also to every country in ASEAN. Actively responding to the Belt and Road Initiative, the university continues to expand and deepen talent cultivation cooperation with ASEAN countries through ACNET-EngTech, and makes active contributions to overcome global challenges and build a community with a shared future for mankind.

Prof. Hu Wenping from Tianjin University

The attendees then visited the National Facility for Earthquake Engineering Simulation accompanied by Prof. Han Qinghua, Vice Secretary of the CPC of Tianjin University Committee.