The IAUP/AUAP Internationalization of Higher Education Forum in Henan University in Kaifeng of Central China's Henan province earlier this week. Photos by Xiang Mingchao / China Daily

The IAUP/AUAP Internationalization of Higher Education Forum has been held in Kaifeng, Henan province, and presidents and scholars from more than 20 countries and regions were attending.

The three-day forum starting from Sept 23, themed by "Collaboration and Innovation for a Bright Future", is hosted by the International Association of University Presidents and the Association of Universities of Asia and the Pacific, and organized by Henan University.

Prasart Suebka, AUAP president, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony.

"The forum crowns the efforts that Henan University has exerted to internationalization. And the fact that Henan University has international students from more than 10 countries across Asia, America and Europe illustrates a growing trend of 'Asia serving Asia's higher education needs', which represents wonderful opportunities for further internationalization," he said.

IAUP was founded in the UK nearly 50 years ago as a volunteer organization of presidents, rectors and vice-chancellors of universities from around the world. The association currently has more than 400 members from 70 countries.

Lou Yuangong, president of Henan University, said that in the nearly 100 years since its founding, Henan University has provided quality education to more than 400,000 students, and made great contributions to cultural inheritance and social development. Among the graduates, there are 56 academicians and members of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Xu Jichao, vice-governor of Henan province, said that in recent years, the provincial government has adopted a scientific development concept for overall development of economy and society. A new Henan is on its rise along with the reform and opening-up to the outside world.

Wide and deep international cooperation helps Henan boost its economic development. And opening-up to the outside world in terms of education remains a pivotal element in the reform, he added.

As one of the earliest comprehensive universities founded in China, Henan University spared no effort to accomplish the mission of higher education in the past 100 years.

It offers substantial support for the development of economy and society. In a government document, it is clearly pointed out that the central government is "in favor of building Henan University into one of the first-class universities in China".

To improve the quality of Henan University, the provincial government has formulated and implemented the "Reinvigoration Plan of the One-Century-Old Henan University".

The provincial government will continue to support the joint construction of Henan University and speed up the process of building it into the top school in China.

The sponsorship of the forum is of profound significance to Henan University's centurial development. It benefits the international involvement of Henan province in terms of international higher education.

Xia Bing, director of cultural and educational experts department of the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs, said that Henan University has achieved great success in the introduction and employment of foreign experts. And it has paid great attention to the introduction of foreign talents and intelligence and the exchange of international talents.

Henan University has gained great achievement on high-level research, subject construction and international cooperation and exchanges on personnel training, he added.

shibaoyin@chinadaily.com.cn

Clockwise: Xu Jichao, vice-governor of Henan province, makes the keynote speech at the IAUP/AUAP Internationalization of Higher Education Forum; Guan Aihe, Party secretary of Henan University, talks with guests in the forum; Lou Yuangong, president of Henan University, receives gifts from guests attending the forum; Neal King, president of IAUP, makes a speech at the opening ceremony.

(China Daily 09/28/2012 page18)