From June 24 to 29, 2024, Lu Yanqing, Vice President of Nanjing University, led a delegation to visit New Zealand and Australia, and attended the 28th Annual Presidents’ Meeting of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU). The visit promoted higher education cooperation and cultural exchanges between NJU and universities and research institutions in New Zealand and Australia, including the University of Auckland, the University of New South Wales, the University of Sydney, the University of Melbourne, and the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research. 

From June 24 to 26, the 28th Annual Presidents’ Meeting of APRU was held at the University of Auckland, New Zealand. More than 50 presidents and representatives from the Pacific Rim region attended the meeting. This year's meeting, themed "Oceans: the World's Challenges Divide Us, the Ocean Currents Connect Us," highlighted the significant role of APRU in addressing global climate change. NJU delegation engaged in discussions with other participants on advancing talent cultivation and promoting extensive exchange in scientific research cooperation.

During the meeting period, the delegation also visited the New Market campus of the University of Auckland,  the Laboratory of Creative Design and Manufacturing and learned about the university’s experience in building innovation clusters.

On the morning of June 27, the delegation visited the University of New South Wales. Lu Yanqing held talks with Dane McCamey, the university’s Pro Vice-Chancellor Research. The two sides had in-depth discussions on promoting cooperation in the field of climate change. Matthew England, the Academic Lead of the International Universities Climate Alliance (IUCA) and Academic Director, attended the talks.

After the talk, the delegation visited the school’s life science teaching facilities and the Ramaciotti Genomics Center.

That afternoon, the delegation visited the University of Sydney, where Lu Yanqing held talks with Katherine Belov, the university’s Pro-Vice-Chanceller for global and research engagement. The two sides discussed prospects for cooperation on  student training and joint scientific research in the fields of chemistry, physics, environment, atmosphere and life sciences.

On the morning of June 28, Lu Yanqing and the delegation visited the University of Melbourne and held talks with the Nicola Philipps, the university's Provost, Mark Cassidy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for research and Adrian Little, Pro Vice-Chancellor for international. The two universities renewed their cooperation memorandum and student exchange agreement. Representatives of the two universities also held parallel talks on topics such as joint research funds, environment, life sciences, Chinese language education, and atmosphere.

The delegation visited the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI) on the afternoon of June 28 and held talks with Alan Cowman, deputy director of the institute. The two sides reached a consensus on strengthening cooperation on scientific research and student training.

After the meeting, the delegation met with NJU alumni working and studying at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research and the University of Melbourne. In addition, Lu Yanqing and the delegation met with the representatives of NJU Melbourne Alumni Association.