USJ Vice-Rector Dr. Teresa Loong Attended Asian University Presidents Forum 2025
USJ Vice-Rector Dr. Teresa Loong Attended Asian University Presidents Forum 2025
10
Dec
10/12/2025
The AUPF was recently held at the GDUFS. Dr. Teresa Loong, Vice-Rector of USJ, was invited to attend and delivered a speech titled “Exploration of New Paths for Interdisciplinary and Multicultural Understanding in Higher Education” during the Theme Salon.
The Asian University Presidents Forum (AUPF) 2025, held from 20 to 22 November at the Guangdong University of Foreign Studies (GDUFS), ended with great success. The event attracted nearly 90 universities and institutions from 31 countries and regions, as well as over 200 representatives in Guangzhou, including consulate generals from 15 countries, to discuss innovative development in Asian higher education.
Dr. Teresa Loong, Vice-Rector for Student Life of the University of Saint Joseph (USJ), was invited to attend and delivered a speech titled “Exploration of New Paths for Interdisciplinary and Multicultural Understanding in Higher Education” at the Theme Salon on 21 November.
Dr. Teresa Loong presented USJ’s international academic environment to the attendees. She emphasized that today’s global challenges — from public health to climate change — require solutions that transcend traditional academic boundaries and cultural perspectives. She then introduced the USJ Doctoral School and its annual Symposium as a “living laboratory” of this vision. The Doctoral School integrates natural, social, health, and humanities disciplines across different specializations, actively breaking down academic silos. Through shared core modules and cross-disciplinary dialogue, students learn to approach research with holistic and ethically informed methods.
The annual Doctoral Symposium serves as an academic marketplace, where PhD candidates present their work to non-specialist audiences, fostering unexpected collaborations and methodological exchange across fields. In conclusion, Dr. Loong affirmed that interdisciplinary and multicultural models are not merely theoretical ideals but practical, impactful, and essential to the future of higher education. She expressed optimism that through continued innovation and collaboration, universities worldwide can build and walk these new paths together.
On the 22 November at the Cooperation Agreement Signing Ceremony, USJ signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dongseo University (South Korea) and Universitas Kristen Petra (Indonesia), aiming to deepen academic exchanges and cooperation in multiple fields, strengthening academic connections between Asian countries.
Coinciding with the 60th anniversary of GDUFS, the organisers also hosted the AUPF Welcome Banquet on the evening of the 20th, prior to the opening of the forum, to warmly welcome presidents and representatives from multiple Asian universities for friendly exchanges.
We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to GDUFS for their organisation and invitation, which provided a valuable platform for higher education exchange. USJ looks forward to deepening collaboration with more regional and international partners in the future to jointly explore innovative developments in education.
[MOU signed with Rector of Photo with Petra Christian University, Prof Dr. (H.C.) Rolly Intan, Dr. Eng.]
[MOU signed with President of Dongseo University, Prof. Dr. Jekuk Chang]
[Gift presentation to the Prof YAN Xiangbin, President of Guangdong University of Foreign Studies]
