International Women's University Presidents' Forum Opens in Beijing

Li Mingshun, Secretary of the Party committee of the China Women's University, delivers a speech at the Third International Women's University Presidents' Forum. [China Women's University]

The Third International Women's University Presidents' Forum was held at the China Women's University (CWU) in Beijing on December 6-7, 2019.

With the theme of women's higher education in the new era, the forum focused on the development of women's higher education and careers. More than 80 participants, including 20 presidents of women's universities at home and abroad and experts and scholars from 15 countries, participated in the forum.

Li Mingshun, Secretary of the Party committee of the CWU, extended a warm welcome to the guests at the forum. He said the year of 2019 marks both the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 70th anniversary of the founding of the CWU, which gives special meaning to this year's forum.

As a platform to exchange management ideas and explore innovative models, the forum helps enhance friendship and expand cooperation, he noted, adding that participants of the forum can learn from each other and work together to promote the development of women's higher education internationally, in order to contribute to the all-round development of women and to a shared future for humanity.

Zhang Xiuqin, Vice-President of the China Education Association for International Exchange, gives a speech at the forum. [China Women's University]

After extending congratulations on the success of the forum, Zhang Xiuqin, Vice-President of the China Education Association for International Exchange, pointed out that the forum serves as an important platform for exchanges between the women's universities at home and abroad, promotes talks and exchanges on issues of common concern, and enhances understanding and cooperation.

She said she believed the forum would inspire the participants to further promote wider and deeper communication among women's universities, and form a good atmosphere to stimulate women's vitality and promote the development of women's higher education in the new era.

Perween Hasan, Chairperson and Vice-Chancellor of Central Women's University, Bangladesh, delivers a speech at the forum. [China Women's University]

Perween Hasan, Chairperson and Vice-Chancellor of the Central Women's University, Bangladesh, said that the best way to empower women in the current fast-changing global political and economic situation is to provide education to them — and in that, universities play a vital role. Only by strengthening cooperation, exchanges and development can women's universities all over the world boost the development of higher education for women.

Zhang Lixi, Director of the Education Professional Committee of the Chinese Women's Research Society and Dean of the Esther Hall of Shantou University, introduces the original intention, the innovative talent training system, and the effectiveness of education of the college in her keynote speech. [China Women's University]

President of Seoul Women's University introduces the distinctive brand project on women's higher education of the university in her keynote speech. [China Women's University]

Zhang Lili, Deputy Director of the Multicultural Education and Training Center of Beijing Normal University, delivers a keynote speech on the development of contemporary women's education at the forum. [China Women's University]

A round-table meeting on opportunities and challenges for the development of women's universities is held during the forum. [China Women's University]

A round-table meeting with the theme of "opportunities and challenges for the development of women's universities and the exploration of training models for outstanding female talents in the new era" was held on December 7.

Liu Liqun, President of the CWU, makes a closing speech. [China Women's University]

Liu Liqun, President of the CWU, spoke at the closing ceremony. Liu concluded that the exchanges and dialogues of the forum gave the participants a deeper understanding of women's higher education and of the unique mission and responsibilities of women's universities to empower women.

The All-China Women's Federation has attached great importance to the China Women's University Consortium and has called for measures to emphasize the role of the consortium, Liu noted.

She said this forum will help expand multilateral cooperation of women's universities and promote women's education, and she hoped women's universities can play a greater role in the future through cooperation, and make contributions to the development of a more equal and civilized world for women.

During the forum, the CWU signed framework agreements with Seoul Women's University and Sungshin Women's University in the Republic of Korea to establish friendly cooperation between universities.

A group photo of the participants in the Third International Women's University Presidents' Forum. [China Women's University]

(Source: China Women's University/Translated and edited by Women of China)