By hannover-web.com On October 12-13, the 2024 International Forum on Higher Education was held in Beijing, focusing on the theme of “Technological Innovation and Sustainable Development.” The event attracted nearly 500 representatives from over 30 countries and regions around the world.
During the welcome dinner for the Third University Global Forum and the International Forum on Higher Education on the evening of October 12, Chen Jie, a member of the Ministry of Education and Vice Minister, emphasized China’s commitment to openness in education. He highlighted the Ministry’s significant focus on international cooperation and exchanges, noting that China has expanded its educational “friendship circle” with countries around the globe. Chen expressed his hope for colleagues from all nations to engage in academic discussions, deepen collaborations, enhance mutual understanding, and forge friendships, thereby creating a new academic landscape for global sharing and mutually beneficial development in higher education.
On October 13, Vice Minister Wu Yan attended the opening ceremony of the forum and delivered a speech. He pointed out that the forum’s focus on technological innovation and sustainable development is crucial for the advancement of global higher education. Wu mentioned China’s active promotion of reform strategies that strengthen top talent cultivation, technological innovation breakthroughs, and optimization of disciplines. He also highlighted efforts to enhance the research and innovation capabilities of young teachers and improve regional technology transfer centers across the country. Wu proposed three initiatives: to embrace collaboration in nurturing talent, to actively tackle challenges together, and to enhance governance capabilities to create a favorable ecosystem for education.
In a video address, Xia Zehan, Director of the East Asia Regional Office for UNESCO, acknowledged China’s efforts to modernize its education system and contribute to sustainable development. He stressed the importance of technology in shaping the future of education and called for a human-centered approach to cooperation, ensuring accessible and inclusive education. Xia expressed his desire to work with partners to create a resilient higher education system that encourages active participation and interconnectedness.
During the forum, Jiang Lan, President of Beijing Institute of Technology and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, read the “Beijing Initiative on Talent Development and Technological Innovation.” The initiative calls for alignment with the trend of sustainable development, advocating for integrated development of education, technology, and talent, while also encouraging high-level international exchanges to paint a new picture of a shared human destiny.
The International Forum on Higher Education is a significant event organized by the Chinese Society of Higher Education, having successfully hosted 23 sessions to date. This year’s forum was jointly organized by the Chinese Society of Higher Education and Beijing Institute of Technology, with support from the East Asia Regional Office of UNESCO, Beijing Foreign Studies University, Beijing Language and Culture University, and the UNESCO Chair on Higher Education in the Asia-Pacific region. The event featured various accompanying activities such as dialogues on higher education between China and the U.S., China and Europe, and discussions among young scientific talents from various countries.
