President Song Gao leads delegation to U.S., deepens international cooperation

Professor Song Gao, President of Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU), led a delegation on a visit to the United States from June 22 to 25, attending the 29th Annual Presidents’ Meeting 2025 (APRU) at the University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego), and visiting the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).

During the APRU 2025 on June 23–24, Prof. Gao delivered a speech at a panel themed “The Role of Higher Education and Social and Economic Policy in Facing Aging Populations.” Drawing on SYSU's research achievements and practical experience in related fields, he systematically expounded on the core role of higher education in national strategies to address population aging.

In the Presidents' Session, Prof. Gao put forward constructive insights on how higher education can play a proactive role amid evolving international landscapes. He called for strengthened dialogue and cooperation among global universities to jointly tackle challenges in the changing environment of international educational collaboration. Emphasizing SYSU's commitment to open education, he highlighted the university's active engagement in extensive partnerships with U.S. and global higher education institutions.

Professor Song Gao, President of SYSU, delivers a speech at APRU 2025.

During the meeting, Prof. Gao held in-depth discussions with presidents of universities including the University of California, Irvine; the University of British Columbia; the University of Alberta; Pohang University of Science and Technology; The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology; The University of Hong Kong; and The Chinese University of Hong Kong, focusing on collaborative initiatives in key academic disciplines.

On June 25, President Gao’s delegation visited UNLV, where they met with UNLV President Prof. Chris Heavey, Vice President Ms. Kate Korgan, international affairs officials, and representatives from the College of Hospitality, College of Liberal Arts, College of Business, and College of Fine Arts. The two sides prioritized discussions on cooperation in tourism and hospitality management, as well as Chinese international education.

A formal project cooperation agreement was signed, marking a new phase of collaboration between SYSU and UNLV. During the visit, Prof. Gao also met with representatives of SYSU alumni in the U.S., exchanging views on the university's development and alumni affairs.

The delegation visits University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and signs a cooperation agreement.

The visit represents a key initiative in SYSU's global strategy. By actively engaging in APRU’s institutional development and expanding partnerships with U.S. and international universities, SYSU aims to enhance its voice in global higher education governance and lay a solid foundation for building a diverse, open international cooperation ecosystem.

Founded in 1997, APRU is an international higher education alliance comprising 62 top research universities from 18 economies around the Pacific Rim. Dedicated to promoting academic collaboration, research innovation, and policy dialogue to address global challenges, APRU is one of the world’s most influential research university networks. SYSU officially joined APRU in 2021.

This international engagement underscores SYSU's commitment to fostering global academic exchange and contributing to solutions for shared global challenges.