12 presidents from top Asian, Middle Eastern universities join in asking for cooperation in solving energy and environmental concerns
May 8, 2007 — Proclaiming that “energy and environmental issues represent the greatest challenges of this century,” Washington University Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton joined presidents of 12 other premier research universities in calling for universities worldwide to marshal their resources for a global effort to secure a brighter, sustainable future.
The statement below, issued as part of a major conference on energy and environmental issues held at Washington University in St. Louis, May 4-7, details plans for collaborative academic programs involving education, research, university operations, social sciences and policy studies.
During the closing remarks, Chancellor Wrighton announced that Washington University would be providing an additional $500,000 to the McDonnell International Scholars Academy to fund research and educational collaborations developed during the weekend symposium.
Joining Chancellor Wrighton were six of the 12 presidents of the premier research universities from around the world.
In addition to Wrighton, the following presidents made remarks:
Khunying Suchada Kiranandana, president of Chulalongkorn University (Bangkok)
Shenghong Wang, president of Fudan University (Shanghai)
Ural Akbulut, president of Middle East Technical University (Ankara)
Si-Chen Lee, president of National Taiwan University (Taipei)
Usman Chatib Warsa, rector of University of Indonesia (Jakarta)
Chang Young Jung, president of Yonsei University (Seoul)
Washington University in St. Louis/McDonnell International Scholars Academy
Summary: International Symposium on Energy and Environment
May 4-7, 2007, St. Louis, Missouri
Call to Action
Energy and environmental issues represent the greatest challenges of this century. This international conference has stimulated premier universities around the world to marshal their human and financial resources to meet these grand challenges. Many of the world’s most talented students and academic leaders are poised to assure a brighter, sustainable future. We call on all segments of society to join us in this vital effort to secure this future.
Academic leaders, including 12 presidents, of the 21 partner universities in the McDonnell International Scholars Academy met at Washington University in St. Louis and shared information about their education and research programs, policy studies and operations related to energy and environment. Developed and developing countries alike have a vital interest in abundant and affordable energy while at the same time preserving the environment. International cooperation and collaboration will accelerate the progress in meeting the challenges associated with energy needs, assuring clean water and air, and addressing the global consequences from the accumulation of greenhouse gases. Research universities have the responsibility to prepare the next generation of leaders in the professions, in business, in government and in academia.
The talented students and faculty of the partner universities of the McDonnell International Scholars Academy, working with their governments, with corporations, and with foundations have the potential to build a better world for all people of the world. The McDonnell International Scholars Academy will nurture the development of international programs of education and research to address problems related to energy and environment, and the McDonnell Academy leaders call on all institutions and people to work cooperatively to solve the problems we face. The McDonnell Academy will encourage governments to support such international programs. The Academy plans to convene a second summit on energy and environment in December of 2008 in Hong Kong and that meeting will engage graduate students and faculty of our partner universities working on these global problems. The four areas of future collaboration are: education, research, social science and policy studies, and university operations.
Education. The partner universities of the McDonnell Academy have established a summary of educational programs and course offerings of the 21 partner universities related to energy and environment. Educational programs for undergraduates, graduate and professional students, as well as programs to educate the public are needed to respond to the challenges associated with energy and environment. Programs range from science and engineering to architecture, social sciences, and medicine. The partner universities are committed to meeting the responsibility of providing the best educational experiences for students destined to be leaders later in this century. The McDonnell International Scholars Academy will foster faculty and student exchange programs to develop collaborative relationships in education.
Research. New knowledge and the application of new knowledge to solve energy and environmental problems are needed. Breakthrough research and the development of “disruptive” and green energy technologies will be aggressively pursued, and in the immediate future effort must also be directed to developing and implementing carbon dioxide sequestration technologies. Research in areas such as renewable energy, including biofuels and photovolatics, is promising, but near-term opportunities also include improvements in the efficient use of fossil fuel resources through understanding of clean combustion processes, catalysis, engines, and use of advanced building materials. Partner universities of the McDonnell International Scholars Academy are conducting high-quality research related to energy and environment, and the Academy will work to develop specific research programs that bring together faculty and students from around the world to accelerate the pace of energy and environmental research.
Social Science and Policy Studies. Advancing the progress in meeting the energy needs of the world will require cooperative efforts to understand the myriad of consequences of an approximate doubling of energy consumption by 2050. Research universities of the McDonnell International Scholars Academy represent premier intellectual resources where the problems can be defined, debated, and discussed in objective forums. Building a sustainable future is a universal aspiration. The McDonnell Academy resolves to provide opportunities to gather academic, government, and corporate leaders from around the world to assist national leaders in formulating and implementing the best policies to meet the economic interests and needs of the world’s people.
Operations. Each of the partner universities in the McDonnell International Scholars Academy strives for excellence in all that they do and provides the best educational and research environment at the lowest possible cost. Improving efficiency in use of energy, for example, has already significantly lowered the cost of energy at major research universities of the Academy. Emerging as leaders in “best practices” in connection with energy and environmental issues is an important aspiration for all 21 partner universities. The McDonnell International Scholars Academy will develop procedures for the partner universities to communicate with each other and to become aware of advances around the world to improve the efficiency of energy utilization, to understand the best practices associated with new buildings and renovation of existing buildings, and to communicate with other large institutions to encourage them to embrace the best policies and practices.
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