From June 21 to 23, 2026, Executive Vice President Toshiya Ueki attended the thirtieth Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) Annual Presidents’ Meeting, which was held at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. The APRU Annual Presidents’ Meeting brings together the presidents of member institutions in the Pacific Rim to share their initiatives for tackling global challenges and to strengthen collaboration.
Approximately 150 representatives from 45 institutions participated in this year’s event, entitled ‘The Next Horizon: Shaping Universities for a Changing World’. The meeting’s theme posited that, against the backdrop of unprecedented technological development (AI) and geopolitical challenges, the future of higher education in its present form is being called into question. It featured keynote speeches and panel discussions on topics such as integrating AI into education and building sustainable and inclusive higher education systems.
During the event, EVP Ueki promoted the upcoming APRU University Executives’ Summit*, which is scheduled to be held at Tohoku University in October of this year. In addition, International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS) Vice Director Takako Izumi delivered a presentation on the Tohoku University-hosted APRU Multi-Hazards Summer Program (of which she is Program Director).
The Annual Presidents’ Meeting was followed by the Senior International Leaders’ Meeting from June 23 to 24, also at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. This event was aimed at senior leaders responsible for international strategy, partnerships, and global engagement from across the APRU network, and included panel sessions and interactive workshops on the importance of promoting international cooperation in sustainable and inclusive ways.
*The APRU University Executives’ Summit brings together Vice Presidents for Research, Vice Presidents for International Affairs, and other senior officials from APRU member institutions. See this page for more information (redirects to APRU website).
APRU Annual Presidents’ Meeting group photo
EVP Ueki presenting at the Annual Presidents’ Meeting
Vice Director Izumi presenting at the Annual Presidents’ Meeting
Discussion during the Senior International Leaders’ Meeting
All photos courtesy of APRU.
Contact:
Global Engagement Division, Tohoku University
Email: kokusai-k@grp.tohoku.ac.jp