From January 15 to 19, Gong Qihuang, President of Peking University and a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, attended the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the Global University Leaders Forum (GULF) in Davos, Switzerland. He also visited several partner institutions and universities of Peking University, including the World Trade Organization (WTO), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), University of Lisbon, and University of Coimbra.
The 2024 WEF Annual Meeting in Davos addressed four main themes to rebuild trust–security and cooperation in a fractured world, growth and jobs for a new era, artificial intelligence as a driving force, and long-term strategy for climate, nature, and energy. The aim is to enhance mutual trust and cooperation and firm up the resolve to overcome challenges of global transformation. Gong Qihuang attended the WEF’s opening ceremony and listened to a special address by Premier Li Qiang. At the GULF, Gong went into depth on “How universities can collaborate with the private sector to drive critical breakthroughs for the future,” sharing Peking University’s experience and insights on business cooperation.
He also met with leaders from the world’s top universities, including Martin Vetterli, President of EPFL; Teck-Hua Ho, President of Nanyang Technological University; and Michael Spence, President of University College London. He discussed the opportunities and challenges facing institutions of higher education, and conveyed Peking University’s readiness to collaborate with global colleges on issues of universal concern, such as sustainable development, digital education, and artificial intelligence.
On January 15, Gong led a Peking University delegation to meet with Zhang Xiangchen, Deputy Director General of the WTO and an alumnus of Peking University. Zhang welcomed the delegation and provided an update on the current status and developments of the WTO. He hopes that more Peking University graduates will undertake internships and secure positions at the WTO. Gong affirmed that Peking University would strengthen its cooperation with the WTO, actively engage in global trade governance research, and strive to supply a greater pool of exceptional talent to the WTO and other international organizations.
Gong Qihuang meets with Zhang Xiangchen
On January 17, the Peking University delegation arrived in Portugal and visited the University of Lisbon. Gong met with President Luís Ferreira and renewed the cooperation agreement between the two universities. Gong noted that Peking University greatly values its partnership with the University of Lisbon, as the two sides have laid a solid foundation for cross-cultural and bilingual collaboration. He also looks forward to closer cooperation in marine science research and international seminars. President Ferreira remarked on the similarities in development and management between the two universities, both located in a national capital, and expressed his enthusiasm for deepening the friendship.
Peking University renews its partnership with the University of Lisbon
On January 18, the Peking University delegation came to the University of Coimbra. The delegation was warmly received by President Amílcar Falcão and Vice President João Nuno Cruz Matos Calvão da Silva. Gong presented the latest developments at Peking University and remarked on the profound impression the rich history and ancient architecture of the University of Coimbra made on the delegation. He expressed his hope to deepen collaboration and extended an invitation for the University of Coimbra to join the Digital Intelligence International Development Education Alliance (DI-IDEA). Moving forward, both universities plan to enhance cooperation in key areas, explore faculty and student exchanges, and launch joint research initiatives, thus constantly infusing new energy into their partnership.
Gong Qihuang meets with Amílcar Falcão
Members of the delegation also visited EPFL, ETH Zurich, and the University of Zurich.
