Date: November 5 – 8, 2015
Location: Guangdong Province, China
Host University: Guangdong University of Foreign Studies
Number of Attendees: 171
Number of Participating Countries and Regions:26
Number of HEIs attending: 80
Theme: Asian Higher Education Connectivity: Vision, Process and Approach
Official Website: https://aupf.gdufs.edu.cn/AUPF_2015.htm
Main Contents:
From November 5 to 8, 2015, the 14th session of the AUPF, themed “Asian Higher Education Connectivity: Vision, Process and Approach”, was held by Guangdong University of Foreign Studies. Delegates from 80 universities in 26 countries and regions participated and 122 pairs of universities signed cooperation agreement. As President of Guangdong University of Foreign Studies noted, With the theme of “Asian Higher Education Connectivity: Vision, Process and Approach”, the Forum this year is to explore important issues of higher education connectivity for common development across the countries and regions in Asia and to strengthen interconnectivity among Asian universities by seizing the opportunity of the roadmap for the Free Trade Area and China’s Belt and Road Initiative. It is clear to see the great significance of this Forum in encouraging higher education to play a leading role in regional development and contributing better to the great mission of common prosperity and harmony in Asia.
As the host university for this session and the permanent secretariat of the Asian University Presidents Forum, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies put forward the five-point proposals.
During the standing committee conference before the closing ceremony, four issues were discussed and approved during the meeting: First, amendments were made to the AUPF Constitution. Second, The Guangzhou Declaration on the Asian Higher Education Connectivity for the 14th AUPF was passed unanimously and the Guangzhou Declaration is adopted. Third, Asia University (Japan) will be the host of AUPF 2016. Fourth, Bangkok University will host the Asian Summer Program in July 2016. The proposed host of 2017 Asian Summer Program is Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, China.