The 2nd Yunnan South & Southeast Asia Education Exchange and Cooperation Forum was held on June 11 in Kunming – capital city of Southwest China's Yunnan province – attracting the participation of over 500 guests from 68 universities, education departments and educational institutions in 31 countries and regions.

Lin Wenxun, Party secretary of Yunnan University (YNU) and Li Chenyang, vice president of YNU, were among key figures who contributed to the forum.

Lin Wenxun, Party secretary of Yunnan University, delivers a keynote speech at the forum on June 11. [Photo/ynu.edu.cn]

At the forum, Lin delivered a keynote speech in which he articulated that exchanges and mutual learning of civilizations was necessary to build a global community with a shared future for mankind. Lin further pointed out that higher education played a seminal role in the exchange and mutual understanding of civilizations.

YNU actively explored and initiated the establishment of the South and Southeast Asian University Network (S&SE ASIAN UN) in December 2018, attracting presidents and representatives from nearly 100 universities in China, as well as from South and Southeast Asia.

Lin said that the university network had become a platform for people to deal with regional issues and development, as well as to carry out in-depth international cooperation in higher education.

Lin added that it was to be hoped that Yunnan universities and universities in South and Southeast Asian countries would move in tandem in important areas.

He urged them to strengthen international cooperation in higher education, promote innovation, sharing and transfer of knowledge – and to advance the promotion and transformation of scientific and technological achievements in different fields.

On behalf of YNU, Li signed a memorandum of cooperation with Lion Benajir Ahmed, chairman of the board of directors of North South University in Bangladesh, as well as Chongrak Wachrinrat, president of Kasetsart University in Thailand.

A signing ceremony takes place between Yunnan University, North South University in Bangladesh and Kasetsart University in Thailand on June 11. [Photo/ynu.edu.cn]