From November 6th to 7th, the 9th World Women University Presidents Forum was held at Xi’an Technological University. President Qin He was invited to attend this forum and delivered a speech at the thematic round-table meeting. The Xi’an Declaration was issued at the conference, confirming that the 10th World Women University Presidents Forum will be held in Jilin International Studies University in 2022.
President Qin He attends the thematic round-table meeting.
There were nearly 200 university female presidents from 64 countries and regions that attended this meeting, focusing on the time-characteristic theme “Global Empathy• Mutual Learning among Civilizations• Universities’ Innovation” both online and offline. They gave advice and shared views on major global issues, such as how to build a global community with a shared future for mankind, how to promote mutual learning among world civilizations, how to advance the development of university innovation, how to give play to the role of women and improve female leadership in post-epidemic era, and so on.
Chen Zhili, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the 11th National People’s Congress and Chairman of the 10th Women’s Federation, Bo Kewa, Former Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Fernando, President of World Federation of University and President of the University of Setis, Mexico, Li Weihong, Former Vice-Minister of Ministry of Education, Xia Jie, Vice Chairman of Women’s Federation and Secretary of the Secretariat, Jv Ersong, President of European University, Zhao Gang, Deputy Governor of Shaanxi province and other leaders attended this opening ceremony and delivered speeches.
This year, the forum included a number of important parts, such as keynote speeches, a thematic round-table meeting and the issuance of a joint declaration. The round-table meeting was chaired by Gao Xiaohong, Deputy Director of the Academic Committee of the Institute of Modern Female Leadership and Director of the Journalism and Communication Department, Communication University of China. President Qin He as well as other 9 presidents and female experts or scholars from universities at home and abroad, focusing on the topic ‘The 20th Anniversary of the Forum -- History and Future’, reviewed the history of this forum over the past 20 years, summarized its great achievement and significant role, and discussed together its development to depict a better future.
President Qin He gives a speech at the thematic round-table meeting.
President Qin He pointed out that the World Women University President Forum, fitting the global trend in the development of higher education, is designed to build an exchange and cooperation platform for global women to promote their leadership. The forum has successfully held 9 sessions since 2001 with different themes each year on the trend of development of global higher education and carried out various academic and cultural exchange activities. It has played a key part in many major fields, such as promoting international exchanges and cooperation in higher education, pushing forward the development of global higher education, improving women’s leadership, and enhancing friendship between female presidents of world universities. Now, it serves as an important bridge for universities in the world to advance cooperation and exchange. It is also a vital link of higher education undergoing international exchange and cooperation as well as a crucial platform to converge the wisdom of female university presidents.
President Qin He remarked that it is of great significance that this forum takes “Inheritance of Cultural Tradition and Innovation of Contemporary Science and Technology” as its topic. Universities not only boast of a cultural inheritance, but also shoulder the crucial mission to promote scientific and technological innovation. Thus, in the inheritance of a traditional culture, we should also look ahead into the future. About the scientific and technological innovation, we should build on our rich culture to move ahead on the future of a long-term development. In this way, we can learn that cultural inheritance and scientific and technological innovation exist as a unity and also presents a double mission that modern universities should shoulder. The inheritance of traditional culture can ensure universities have their root. The advancement of scientific and technological innovation enables universities to grow with vigor and hope.
President Qin He also pointed out that there is a good chance for JISU to hold the 10th World Women University President Forum in 2022. All of the teachers and students have the confidence, as well as the resolution and ability to make good preparations for the forum with “meticulous design, strict organization, and first-class standards”. In addition, we can also learn from the successful experience of previous forums to ensure its complete success, and make new contributions to the development of higher education and women causes in the world!
The closing ceremony was chaired by Chen Weijia, executive vice president of Organization Committee of the World Women University President Forum, vice chairman and secretary general of Modern Women Leadership Institute and former director of the University Affairs Department directly subordinate to the Ministry of Education. Wu Qidi, former vice minister of the Ministry of Education, counselor of Organization Committee of the World Women University President Forum and head of Academic Committee of Modern Women Leadership Institute, announced The Decision of Commending the University Hosting the 10th Sub-forums. Liu Liqun, president of China Women's University and seven other presidents jointly read Xi’an Declaration, which was unanimously approved. Xi’an Declaration confirms that the 10th World Women University President Forum will be held in Jilin International Studies University in 2022. Liu Jinan, chairman of the World Women University President Forum and dean of Modern Women Leadership Institute delivered a speech at the closing ceremony. The 9th World Women University President Forum was concluded successfully with the song The Light of Women by college students from Xi’an Technological University.
