St Petersburg University took part in the Global University Presidents’ Forum

The Global University Presidents’ Forum (GUPF) consists of 29 members, representatives of the world’s leading universities. The Forum is chaired by Suzanne Fortier, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of McGill University (Canada).

Last year there had been discussed issues, related to a recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and opportunities of using technologies as a new way for social inclusion. In 2022, the GUPF community focuses on current issues and trends of modern education, optimal techniques for teaching students. Speakers of the Forum introduced best practices of international cooperation between universities in the context of the global crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.

For example, President of Seoul National University (South Korea) Oh Se-Jung has shared results of the implementation of new trends in South Korea’s education system.

The most effective way to educate talented young people is to create educational programmes with an individual approach to each student. By giving students the opportunity to explore areas they are interested in, we help young people to expand their horizons.

Oh Se-Jung, President of Seoul National University

Professor Banchong Mahaisavariya, President of Mahidol University, outlined key factor to success in finding of young talented people. According to Professor, the most efficient way to discover new talents is to carry out careful selection of students both in domestic and international universities. It had also been suggested that universities’ executive committees should be responsible for assessment the level of competencies of future researchers.

Xiang Zhang, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) concurred in his report, that talented students should be educated within the university. He also added that ability to inspire students is one of the important aspects of education. ‘The only way to encourage students to learn and become professionals is through our own example. Thus, a number of talented students will increase in a natural way and the need for rigorous selection will not be necessary’, said President of the University of Hong Kong.

At the end of the Forum participants highlighted the importance and necessity of the meeting as an important instrument of influence on educational system of each university.

It was one of the largest meetings since the start of the pandemic. Within the Forum participants discussed key issues of the development of educational cooperation in the Post COVID-19 Era. Representatives of leading universities exchanged views on universities’ development strategies and international cooperation in the new conditions.

‘It is extremely important to work together in the conditions reality dictates to us. Despite the pandemic, the economic crisis, we must stick together, keep working and continue to ignite students’ interest in learning’, noted Professor Gregory L. Fenves, President of Emory University (the USA).