Brown University President calls for collaboration

As the latest installment of the Tsinghua University Global Vision Lecture Series, Professor Christina H. Paxson, President of Brown University, visited Tsinghua University yesterday and gave a speech entitled, “Knowledge Without Borders: University Collaboration in a Global Era.”

The event is hosted by Professor Shi Yigong, Vice President of Tsinghua University.

In her speech, Paxson spoke about the connection between Brown University and Tsinghua, namely their evolution into what’s called engaged universities, those which “broaden notions of knowledge production and impact, forge partnerships with the wider society, and target societal problems that require rigorous, imaginative solutions.”

Stating that Tsinghua has long been seen as the bridge from East to West, Paxson goes on to explain how universities like Brown and Tsinghua can “open new pathways for advancing knowledge” through three principles: 1. Organizing university programs around the current global challenges. 2. Creating an environment that encourages innovation. 3. Developing and shaping students to be leaders of tomorrow.

She reiterates a comment made by Mei Yiqi about the early days of Tsinghua, that, “contemporary society didn’t just need engineers with engineering expertise; society also needed engineers with comprehensive training in humanitarian issues and social responsibility.”

"Today, we find ourselves at another pivotal moment in historical time – pivotal, of course, in the sense that the welfare of all nations and peoples truly hangs in the balance. It is a moment that calls for collaboration around knowledge, keyed to the global good, and directed at solutions to climate change, population health, alternative energy, and so many other complex challenges," said Christina.

(From Office of Global Communications and Outreach)