The Asian Universities Alliance (AUA) Postgraduate Forum and Greater Bay Area Nanshan Academic Forum was held at Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School (Tsinghua SIGS) from December 19 to 21.
The forum, themed around driving the future through innovation and cooperation, attracted over 220 experts and young scholars from AUA member universities and the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).
Associate Professor Zhang Yi presides over the forum’s opening ceremony
Forum attendees pose for a group photo
Through keynote speeches, subforum discussions, and cultural exchange activities, the event highlighted AI's role in empowering sustainable development, as well as sustainable development from the perspectives of the economy, society, and ecosystem. Participants shared insights and solutions aimed at advancing the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
On December 20, the forum commenced with an opening ceremony. In his opening remarks, Guan Tian, Deputy Party Secretary of Tsinghua SIGS, encouraged researchers to engage in discussions with an open mindset, critical thinking, and a collaborative spirit in order to contribute to global development.
Guan Tian, Deputy Party Secretary of Tsinghua SIGS, delivers an opening speech
Professor He Kebin, the forum’s academic chair, emphasized in his video address that sustainable development and technological innovation are crucial in nurturing future leaders. He expressed his hope that universities across Asia would work together to build a shared academic space and promote in-depth exchanges among students.
Professor He Kebin delivers a video speech
In a video address, Liu Jian, Secretary of AUA, reviewed the alliance's achievements since its establishment in promoting faculty and student exchanges, joint courses, and research collaborations. She noted that young scholars should serve as bridges connecting diverse voices and address global challenges through innovation and cooperation.
AUA Secretary Liu Jian delivers a video address to the forum
Assistant Professor Jong Mui Choo at Tsinghua SIGS introduced Tsinghua University and Tsinghua SIGS. As part of Tsinghua University's strategic southward expansion in the GBA, Tsinghua SIGS focuses on cutting-edge interdisciplinary fields and is committed to cultivating high-level talents with a global perspective.
Assistant Professor Jong Mui Choo makes a presentation
During the main forum, Professor Zhang Xiaoping at Tsinghua University, who is also a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, delivered a keynote speech titled “On the Edge of AI, Big Data, and Cognition”. He proposed building embodied intelligence capable of understanding the physical world and predicting causal relationships through multimodal perception and embodied interaction.
Professor Zhang Xiaoping delivers a keynote speech
Associate Professor Zheng Bo at Tsinghua SIGS delivered a keynote speech titled “Refined Characterization of Air Pollutant and Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Progress, Challenges, and Prospects”. He shared insights that provide a scientific foundation for supporting China's dual carbon goals and the coordinated governance of clean air.
Associate Professor Zheng Bo delivers a keynote speech
The subforums focused on AI-empowered sustainable development and sustainability from the perspectives of the economy, society, and ecosystem, where scholars and postgraduate students engaged in lively discussions.
In addition to academic sessions, the event featured a series of cultural exchange activities aimed at enhancing friendship and mutual understanding among young people from across Asia.
Participants during the cultural exchange activities
The forum concluded on December 21. A group of students received prizes in recognition of their outstanding performance at the forum.
In his closing remarks, Zuo Jian'e, Associate Dean of Tsinghua SIGS, noted that the forum showcased Asian universities' determination to address global challenges.
Zuo Jian'e delivers a speech
He emphasized that Tsinghua University will continue to deepen collaboration with AUA member institutions in talent development and scientific research, and encouraged students to take the forum as a starting point to contribute to social progress.
Source from the Office of Student Affairs
Edited by Wang Jingli
Reviewed by Chen Jundou, Lin Zhoulu
