The University of Alberta is a new member of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU). This consortium of 61 leading research universities from 18 Pacific Rim economies is committed to addressing global challenges and creating a more equitable society through collaboration, innovation and strategic leadership.
APRU builds on the collective strengths of its members to make a meaningful impact in critical areas such as artificial intelligence, global health and sustainable development.
I was pleased to represent the U of A at the APRU’s Annual Presidents’ Meeting, hosted by the University of Auckland, New Zealand in June 2024. The three-day conference, themed “Oceans – The World’s Challenges Divide Us, the Ocean Currents Connect Us,” was attended by over 120 heads and representatives of APRU member universities.
Along with the conference attendees, I had the privilege to attend a moving Māori ceremony at the Waipapa Marae, the focal point of Māori life at the University of Auckland (see photo).
At the meeting, I participated in a panel discussion on Navigating the Tides: APRU Leadership in Addressing Climate Change, alongside the presidents of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and Nanyang Technological University, which was chaired by the provost and executive vice-chancellor of the University of California, Riverside. This was an excellent opportunity to showcase the innovative, transdisciplinary research and collaborative work the U of A is doing in the area of climate change and energy transition.
The U of A has comprehensive and long-standing collaborations with many of APRU’s member universities. Our membership in APRU allows us to foster interdisciplinary research and collaborate internationally on policy development and educational initiatives that address our shared priorities. By working together, we can amplify our impact and contribute to global solutions.
Bill Flanagan
President and Vice-Chancellor