The Academic Consortium for the 21st Century ( AC21) is an international network comprised of educational, research and industrial organisations throughout the world.
Summary
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The Academic Consortium for the 21st Century was established during the International Forum 2002 hosted by Nagoya University. The Forum brought together the presidents and high-ranking delegations from twenty-four of the world’s leading education and research institutions, and resulted in the founding of a new and vigorous global partnership in higher education, the AC21.
The main theme of the inaugural forum, “The Role of Universities in the 21st Century”, is still at the heart of AC21’s activities to this day. In an era of continuous change, AC21 members believe that institutions of higher education must take the initiative in responding to the rapidly transforming needs of society, and that an international university network, with its common pool of knowledge, expertise and experience, comprises the optimum means to accomplish this. AC21 is firmly committed to contributing to the global knowledge sector, as demonstrated by the scale of its projects and activities.
AC21 seeks to promote cooperation in education and research between members and to foster co-existence beyond national and regional boundaries in the 21st century.
Mission
The activities of AC21 are divided into three broad areas: Education, Research, and Partnerships with Industry and Local Regions. Through joining the organization, all members agree to support the following activities:
- Regularly holding AC21 International Research and Student Forums
- Support exchanges of students, faculty members and administrative staff
- Shared access to information on research interests and academic activities
- Develop cooperative educational programs
- Develop partnerships with the industry and local regions.
Education:
・Providing students with a multi-cultural understanding and an international perspective
・Promotion of interdisciplinary research bridging the cultural gap between humanities and science
・Promotion of lifelong education
・Dissemination of world-class knowledge and provision of outstanding human resource development
Research:
・Support of high-quality, internationally active researchers
・Promotion of international collaborative research
・Creation of international frameworks for technology transfer
・Assisting the development of internationally competitive industries
Partnerships with Local Regions and Industry:
・Development of cultural and technological exchange
・Understanding company cultures through international internship programs
・Strengthening of R&D through collaboration of AC21 (associate) members
・Provision of information on legislations, labor, etc. for associate members
Members
Australia
University of Adelaide
China
Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Jilin University
Nanjing University
Northeastern University
Peking University
Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Tongji University
France
<link en _blank>University of Strasbourg
Germany
Technische Universität Chemnitz
University of Freiburg
Indonesia
Gadjah Mada University
Japan
Nagoya University
Lao Peoples Democratic Republic
National University of Laos
New Zealand
University of Canterbury
South Africa
Stellenbosch University
Thailand
Chulalongkorn University
Kasetsart University
United States
North Carolina State University
The University of Minnesota
