Brief report on the Presidents’ Forum of

Hubei – South Asian Universities

The Hubei Provincial Department of Education organized the First

Presidents’ Forum of Hubei and South Asian Universities between

16-19 October 2018. It was hosted jointly by Hubei University and China Three Gorges University. The theme of the Forum was

“Enjoy Friendship as Close Neighbours and Enhance Prosperity in

Higher Education”. Prof. Y.S.R. Murthy, Registrar, JGU

represented the O.P. Jindal Global University. K.R. Mangalam University is the other private university from India which was

invited to participate in the Conference. In addition, several

Universities from Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka

participated in it.

The first part of the Forum was organized at Hubei University in Wuhan. On 16th October, I made a presentation on JGU to other

participants at a Round Table and explained the work of the Centre

for India-China Studies at JGU (copy of PPT is attached). I have

explained JGU’s commitment to India-China intellectual collaboration, ongoing activities and the need for deepening these

efforts further in the future. I have clearly outlined the strengths of

JGU and in particular, the CICS, Mandarin teaching and on-going

student and faculty exchanges with 16 Chinese partners. This Forum gave an opportunity to network with top Universities in the

Hubei Province and other South Asian countries.

On 17th October 2018, separate agreements for cooperation as well

as student exchange with the China Three Gorges University,

Hubei University and Hubei University of Technology were signed.

All the participants have also signed a joint agreement establishing

the Presidents’ Forum of Hubei – South Asian Universities and for collaboration with each other.

On 18th October, all participants travelled from Wuhan to Yichang

and visited the China Three Gorges University and held further consultations. During my talks, I noted that China Three Gorges

University (CTGU) is keen on establishing India Studies Research

Centre and that it provides an opportunity for JGU in general and

in particular for CICS to collaborate further in this area. The CTGU which has a strong expertise in hydraulic engineering can also be a

good partner in the proposed Jindal School of Environment and

Sustainability.

On the whole, there exists further scope for collaboration between

Chinese Universities and JGU in the teaching of Mandarin Chinese

and establishment of Confucius Study Centre at JGU. As a global university, we can also consider short-term exchange of chefs

between Sodexo and CTGU to deepen our multi-cultural

environment.

JGU Registrar, Dr. Y.S.R. Murthy with Mr. Shang Gang, Chairman, Hubei

University Council on 17 October 2018 at Wuhan, China.

Registrar, JGU, Prof. Y.S.R. Murthy and Vice President, China Three

Gorges University, Prof. Huang Yingping signing a MoU at Wuhan on 17

October 2018.

Registrar, JGU, Prof. Y.S.R. Murthy with Vice President, China Three

Gorges University, Prof. Huang Yingping after signing a MoU at Wuhan

on 17 October 2018.

JGU Registrar, Dr. Y.S.R. Murthy with Mr. Shang Gang, Chairman, Hubei

University Council on 17 October 2018 at Wuhan, China.

Signing of a MoU in progress

Signing of a MoU in progress