The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) President Tony F Chan has become Chairman of the Association of East Asian Universities Association (AEARU) for a term of two years.
President Chan succeeds President Hiroshi Matsumoto of Kyoto University at the Board of Directors Meeting hosted by Osaka University on 14 May 2010.
“I am excited about the assuming chairmanship of a regional alliance of research universities, and the opportunity to promote international exchange in areas of common interest – not only science and technology, but also business, culture and education,” President Chan said.
Since its inception 14 years ago, AEARU has organized workshops covering a wide spectrum of disciplines, including web technology and computer science, molecular biology and biotechnology, energy and environment, advanced materials, micro-electronics, development of business schools, science parks and medical centers, cultural issues, and network education. It has also organized joint symposiums on earthquake hazards around the Pacific Rim.
On the student level, AEARU has been organizing one to two student summer camps each year at different member universities to promote international exchange and friendship.
At the Meeting, a proposal for a Symposium on the Culture of Chinese Written Characters was put forward by Kyoto University, noting that Chinese written characters are a common thread for communication in the Greater China Region as well as in Japan and Korea.
About AEARU
Founded in January 1996, AEARU now has 17 member universities – 5 from Mainland China, 2 from Taiwan, 1 from Hong Kong, 6 from Japan and 3 from Korea. Its goal is to advance scholarship and research in fields of common interest through the collaboration and cooperation of its member universities.
The AEARU Board of Directors comprise 5 members, each elected to represent the five AEARU regions.
For media enquiries, please feel free to contact :
Ross Lai
Tel: 2358 6306 / 9103 2928
Email: rosslai@ust.hk
Donna Wong
Tel: 2358 6317
Email: donnaw@ust.hk
