Climate change and cooperation discussed as Tsinghua University’s President Qiu Yong meets with Stellenbosch University’s Vice-Chancellor Willem de Villiers
On the afternoon of October 14, President Qiu Yong of Tsinghua University met with Professor Willem de Villiers, Rector and Vice Chancellor of South Africa's Stellenbosch University. The exchange focused on current cooperation between the two universities in the field of education and research as members of the World University Climate Change Alliance. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Stellenbosch, Hester Klopper, accompanied President de Villiers on the visit.
Qiu Yong welcomed de Villiers on his first visit to Tsinghua and thanked him for his strong support and contribution to the work of the Alliance. President Qiu pointed out that Professor Klopper attended the first General Assembly of the Alliance held at Tsinghua University in May this year and made an important contribution to the development planning.
“Leading universities in the world should play a leading role in tackling the most challenging issues, like climate change,” said President Qiu. He expressed his hope that, through the platform of the World University Climate Change Alliance, Tsinghua University could work with top-tier universities to tackle global climate governance and climate change worldwide.
De Villiers agreed with President Qiu on the significance of the partnership between Tsinghua and Stellenbosch. “It’s an honour but also an imperative for Stellenbosch University to be part of this global alliance of universities on climate change, because this is one of those complex societal challenges that we face and one that is of real importance,” said de Villiers. “We also believe universities such as ours, research intensive universities, are uniquely positioned to tackle (these challenges) in a collaborative sense.”
President Qiu further thanked Stellenbosch University for its active participation in the upcoming Alliance Academic Forum to be held in November. It is hoped that students of the Alliance will further enhance exchange and actively participate in climate change action.
The two sides discussed the future development of the alliance between Tsinghua and Stellenbosch, focusing on opportunities for education and teaching cooperation. They expressed their support for creating global talent development programs focused on climate change.
Professor de Villiers stated that the University of Stellenbosch would like to provide support for cooperative research and joint degree programs between the two universities. “I certainly look forward to working with Tsinghua, a very esteemed international university, because this is how, as global institutions and as global citizens, we can solve these challenges,” added de Villiers.
Writer: Natalie Meyer
