On Feb 16-18, the ASEAN-China Forum on Cooperation in Higher Education jointly organized by Tianjin University (TJU) and the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) was held at Tianjin University.

Diplomats Djauhari Oratmangun, ambassador of the Indonesia to China; Raja Nushirwan Bin Zainal Abidin, ambassador of Malaysia to China; Arthayudh Srisamoot, ambassador of Thailand to China, were awarded TJU Honorary Professorships by Yang Xianjin, Party chief at Tianjin University.

Yang Xianjin confers Honorary Professorships to Djauhari Oratmangun, Raja Nushirwan Bin Zainal Abidin and Arthayudh Srisamoot(from left to right)

The three ambassadors applauded TJU’s achievements in research and talent cultivation, and looked forward to continuing to boost education cooperation and research collaboration through ACNET-EngTech.

Shi Zhongjun, ACC secretary-general, congratulated the three ambassadors on becoming TJU honorary professors. He emphasized that higher education plays an important role in regional development. He said educators and diplomats can work together to better shape the future for education in the region.

Raja Nushirwan Bin Zainal Abidin pointed out that Malaysia and China have enjoyed close relations based on politics, trade and cultural ties for thousands of years, made possible by deep people-to-people linkages. He supports ACNET-EngTech as a platform for Malaysian universities to explore cooperation opportunities with Tianjin University and other Chinese universities.

Djauhari Oratmangun noted that the cooperation in higher education between Indonesia and China lies within the context of bilateral relations. He said that ASEAN provides a solid platform for higher education cooperation and contributes to regional peace, stability and prosperity. He expected to see more bilateral cooperation in people-to-people communication, economics, culture and in particular, higher education exchanges under the framework of ASEAN.

Arthayudh Srisamoot briefed the audience on Thailand’s higher education cooperation with China, especially with Tianjin. He emphasized that education has always been one of the main pillars of Thailand-China cooperation. He also expressed that Thailand looks forward to further deepening this exchange and cooperation in the spheres of education and scientific research, particularly in fields that align with Thailand’s national development strategies, such as the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy Model.

Li Xin, deputy head of the Department of Foreign Expert Services, Ministry of Science and Technology, introduced key aspects of China’s scientific and technological performance in recent years, He spoke in  detail about innovation and entrepreneurship policies for supporting young foreign talents to come to China. He welcomed colleagues and friends from Asian countries to come and develop cooperative relations with China through exchange programs and communication platforms.

Guests shared their views on higher education cooperation between China and ASEAN countries during the roundtable discussions.