Between June 25 and 27, President Hideo Ohno attended the Association of Pacific Rim Universities’ (APRU) 27th Annual Presidents’ Meeting at the University of Hong Kong. APRU’s members lead research and education around the Pacific Rim, and the Annual Presidents’ Meeting provides their presidents with an opportunity to share and discuss ongoing efforts at their universities with respect to the solving of global issues.
About 150 people, including 26 presidents from member universities, participated in the meeting, which was held under the theme of ‘From Invention to Implementation – Solutions for a Sustainable Future’. Presentations and panel discussions were held on the role of universities in solving global issues, green technology, and education for future generations.
President Ohno addressed the attendees on green technology, and stated that the results of climate change, such as an increase in floods and wildfires, will extend across the world. The Pacific Rim is known as the ‘Ring of Fire’, and it is a region prone to a wide variety of disasters. President Ohno emphasized the necessity of building resilient societies within the Pacific Rim and of the urgent need to respond appropriately to disasters. The president also stated that making use of green technology is important for solving global issues such as climate change. He introduced specific examples, including research and development into technology related to the burning of ammonia, as it has the potential to be used as a carbon-free fuel; the Environmental DNA Monitoring Network called ‘ANEMONE’; and initiatives related to ‘Nature Positive’, which seeks to reverse the deterioration of nature and set it onto a path to recovery.
The president then joined others who spoke on the same topic for a panel discussion, and many questions and comments were received from the audience.
Please see APRU’s website for more details: https://www.apru.org/news/apm2023/
President Ohno delivering his presentation on global issues (Photo by APRU)
A group photograph of all those at the meeting (Photo by APRU)
Contact:
Global Engagement Division, Tohoku University
Email: kokusai-k@grp.tohoku.ac.jp