From February 17 to 18, the 2nd Asian University Science and Technology Innovation Forum was held in Tokyo, Japan. The forum was co-hosted by China Association for International Exchange of Personnel (CAIEP) and Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), attracting participation from world-class universities, including Peking University, Institute of Science Tokyo, Kyushu University, Nagoya University, Hokkaido University, Waseda University, Nanyang Technological University, National University of Singapore and Chulalongkorn University. Zhang Yonghui, Vice President of HUST, was invited to attend the forum, accompanied by representatives from the Office of International Affairs.

At the roundtable conference, Zhang Yonghui delivered the keynote speech themed “AI-Driven Educational Transformation and Innovation -- Exploration and Practice at Huazhong University of Science and Technology”. In nowadays digitized world, higher education is evolving rapidly, taking on new forms characterized by the integration of online and offline learning, intelligent connectivity, human-machine collaboration, collaborative governance, and a borderless landscape. Zhang Yonghui shared HUST’s reforms and practices in deepening interdisciplinary integration, restructing the teaching ecosystem, and innovating management methods. He proposed that Asian universities should work cooperatively to build a digital education community, foster a future talent ecosystem, and build new standards for smart education, to better equip future generations and jointly make greater contributions to the AI-driven society.

Zhang Yonghui chaired the "Meeting and exchange for presidents from China and Japan", and participated in the Meeting of Presidents from China and Other Asian Universities. Together with 29 other university leaders, he discussed the establishment of a contact and coordination mechanism under the framework of the forum, and provided suggestions on the forum’s follow-up work.

During the forum, Zhang Yonghui discussed inter-university cooperation with representatives from several universities. They exchanged ideas on student exchanges, research outcome transformation, and the establishment of multilateral exchange and coordination mechanisms.

The HUST delegation attended the unveiling ceremony and alumni exchange meeting of the HUST Overseas Alumni House (Japan) in Tokyo on February 16. Cao Ju, President of the Japan Alumni Association, delivered a welcome speech. Alumni representatives expressed their deep affection for HUST and their expectations for future cooperation. Zhang Yonghui highlighted that HUST’s progress and development would not have been possible without the support and contributions of the alumni. Over the years, the Japan Alumni Association has made significant contributions by aggregating alumni resources, supporting HUST’s development, and fostering unity among alumni. Zhang Yonghui, Cao Ju, and alumni representatives jointly announced the establishment of the HUST Overseas Alumni House (Japan).

Witten by: Shu Ruoyan

Edited by: Feng Siyu, Chang Wen, Peng Yumeng