<Title language-id="en_US">Presidents of world leading universities will discuss network cooperation at FEFU

In June 2013, FEFU will host the presidents of universities that are members of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) (photo report).

A series of working meetings was held between APRU delegates and representatives of Far Eastern Federal University October 12-15.

The delegation, which came to Vladivostok headed by APRU Secretary General Dr. Christopher Tremewan, included the Director of the Secretariat and APRU Treasurer Dr. Margaret Lyang, and Vice-Presidents for International Affairs of the University of California (Davis) Dr. William Lacy and of Kyoto University Dr. Junichi Mori.

As Dr. Tremewan noted, the negotiations with FEFU administration were focused on issues of preparation for the meeting of APRU university presidents that will take place in June 2013 in Far Eastern Federal University facilities. The meeting is the main annual event of the Association. “We discussed the future program of the annual university presidents’ meeting,” the APRU Secretary General said. “The meeting of APEC leaders was on a very high level this September, therefore we think it is important for our events to take place here, in Vladivostok.”

The agenda of the university presidents’ meeting will include three main topics: strengthening of universities’ network cooperation in the sphere of education, deepening of cooperation in scientific research and innovation, and the promotion of the Association as a recognized partner of leading regional intergovernmental organizations.

Following the traditions of the annual presidents’ meeting, the 2013 meeting at FEFU will include a conference of representatives from government, business and academia. Additionally, by the initiative of FEFU President Dr. Sergey Ivanets, the annual presidents’ meeting will coincide with the APRU Youth Summit, a conference of student organizations from partner universities.

“I think APRU is the most recognized Association of University Presidents in the world,” FEFU Vice-President for International Affairs Dr. Vladimir Kurilov said. “Gaining entry into this Association is very difficult, because only the strongest universities of Asia-Pacific region are included. That’s why membership in such an organization is not only honorable, but also useful for Far Eastern Federal University.”

As Dr. Vladimir Kurilov said, FEFU’s membership in APRU draws sincere respect from international colleagues. It provides opportunities to participate in new academic and innovative programs with the world’s strongest universities, as well as the opportunity to receive world recognition.

“The leaders of our country wish to improve the status of our universities in the world, and this is a correct position,” Dr. Vladimir Kurilov said. “And the recognition of Far Eastern Federal University on the Asia-Pacific regional stage is already a significant contribution for promoting the university in the global academic community.”

According to the FEFU Vice-President, the university presidents will not go to just any country and any university to hold their annual meeting. That the meeting will be conducted at the FEFU campus next year is all the more indicative of FEFU’s recognition in the world.

The Association of Pacific Rim Universities, established in 1997, unites 42 leading research universities from 16 countries of the region. Far Eastern Federal University is the only Russian university that is included in the Association, and is also one of its founders.