Date: November 14-16, 2007

Location: Taichung, Taiwan

Host University: Providence University

Number of Attendees: 160

Number of Participating Countries and Regions: 10

Number of HEIs attending: 89

Theme: Service Study; University Fund and Donation and International Communications

Main Contents:

The 6th session of the AUPF was held by Providence University of Taiwan, China from November 14 to 15, 2007. Over 160 presidents, professors, scholars and educators from 89 universities located in 10 countries and regions participated. Dr. Lv Mulin from the Taiwan Educational Authority spoke at the opening ceremony and expressed her welcome and congratulations on the convening of the forum. Dr. Wu Jing, educator and former director of the Taiwan Educational Authority gave a speech on “The Diversification and Multiple Responsibility of Universities”. Dr. Wu Jing said professors act as the main body of academic research. In order to improve the quality of academic research and pursue an international reputation, academia must be free. Freedom gives rise to competition, which will then improve the competitiveness of universities. The primary mission of universities is to offer education and the most fundamental aspect of education is to train students who have personality and the ability of independent thinking. Assistant Professor Hu Yipei of Providence University introduced her university’s practices of service-learning while Professor John Belcher gave a speech on university internationalization in which he pointed out that internationalization cannot simply be equal to the employment of foreign teachers and the exchange of students. University internationalization requires the enhancement of course quality, joint research, international cooperative initiatives and academic activities. The preparation work of this session was meticulous and thorough. The themed reports were focused and well-drafted. All attending universities made full use of this platform to discuss cooperation, and a signing ceremony of cooperation was held during the session.