President Gao,
Esteemed university Vice-Chancellors, Presidents, Vice-Presidents, Deans, Chairs, Directors and distinguished guests gathered here,
It is my great pleasure and honour to be in the company of such a distinguished assembly of academic leaders from across the globe. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Sun Yat-sen University, and to President Gao, for the invitation to speak at this prestigious Global Forum that brings us together at a pivotal time in the history of our institutions and of the world.
It is a particular privilege to join in celebrating Sun Yat-sen University’s 100th anniversary. This milestone speaks volumes of the vision, commitment, and unwavering dedication of generations of scholars, educators, and leaders who have shaped this institution over the past century. The vision of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, a trailblazing leader committed to the advancement of education and the well-being of society, lives on through this great university’s work.
Sun Yat-sen University’s enduring commitment to excellence and community impact stands as a testament to his legacy and has only grown stronger over the decades. I am inspired and moved to be here, celebrating such an important legacy of knowledge, innovation, and service.
I would like to open my presentation by mentioning that McGill University’s campuses are on land which has long served as sites of meeting and exchange amongst North America's Indigenous peoples, including the Haudenosaunee and Anishinabeg nations. We acknowledge and thank the diverse Indigenous peoples whose presence marks the territory on which our university has the privilege of inviting people from all over the world to gather.
The theme of this forum, "Inclusive, Shared, and Innovative Approach for a Common Future", is a highly pertinent one in these challenging times and one that calls us to action and collaboration.
In the spirit of guanxi, the Chinese relationship building philosophy, a concept grounded in trust, mutual respect, and reciprocity, let us consider the vast collaboration possibilities we can leverage. As we explore the themes of inclusivity, achievement of shared goals, and the pursuit of innovation, we recognize that they are essential foundations for our collective progress.
Inclusivity invites us to build trust across borders and cultures, creating environments where diverse voices are valued. Shared Goals remind us of the power of mutual benefit and reciprocity in our collaborations. And finally, innovation represents the spark that ignites change and drives progress. It requires us to think creatively, challenge the status quo, and remain open to new ideas and approaches. Just as guanxi emphasizes the importance of strong connections and trust in fostering effective relationships, let us embody these principles in our partnerships and exchanges.
I would now like to touch on some of the themes that will underpin our discussions during this afternoon’s sessions, and share with you some examples of McGill’s efforts on these fronts.
AI and Higher Ed
Our societies stand at a juncture where artificial intelligence offers us both extraordinary opportunities and profound challenges. With responsible implementation, AI can expand access, quality, and efficiency in education and research. However, we must also acknowledge AI’s ethical, privacy, and employment concerns, among others. We are called to establish principles, ethical guidelines and safeguard data privacy while ensuring that the rapid pace of technological development remains inclusive and accountable.
To this end, McGill University has begun to integrate generative AI in its academic ecosystem by adopting principles that provide a framework for ongoing conversations about generative AI in the context of teaching and learning.
On the research front in AI, McGill has teamed up with other academic institutions in Montreal including Université de Montréal, HEC Montréal and Polytechnique Montréal, to create Mila, the Québec Institute of Artificial Intelligence. A community of more than 1,200 researchers, Mila is a unique space for innovation in machine learning, AI and technology transfer. This research and innovation center is training the next generation of Québec researchers in this critical field, preparing them to harness the possibilities offered by AI. As university leaders, it is upon us to create frameworks that harness the power of AI for human betterment while ensuring no one is left behind.
Let us make AI an ally, not an adversary, in the fulfillment of our academic mission.
With regards to Sustainability and Climate change, the search for solutions to the current climate crisis is an unprecedented example of a shared goal, on a scale never seen in human history. Higher education institutions are uniquely positioned to address this global challenges, and as stewards of knowledge, we must lead the way in climate research and action. McGill's Strategic Academic Plan affirms our university’s determination to place sustainability at the core of all our activities.
McGill is hard at work to put in place measures that promote the decarbonization of its activities, with the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2040, and to further the development of sustainability-focused research and teaching. For instance, with the aim of increasing our impact in this area, McGill's Faculties of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Engineering and Science have joined forces to create the McGill Sustainability Systems Initiative, known as MSSI. This initiative brings together hundreds of experts from across McGill’s Faculties, providing support and funding for transdisciplinary teams to tackle some of the most complex and challenging issues in sustainability. The MSSI actively solicits the humanities scholars to work together with scientists to develop significant, impactful, and socially acceptable advances that move society towards a sustainable model of existence.
Furthermore, McGill's Strategic Academic Plan has evolved to emphasize that during their time at McGill, students should gain knowledge of sustainability principles. By integrating sustainability into our curricula and fostering a culture of environmental stewardship, we prepare our students and scholars to become informed advocates and game-changers for a sustainable future.
I will have the pleasure of addressing this theme in greater depth this afternoon, during Session 2 of the Parallel Forums, when I will be discussing McGill’s new Sustainability Education Fellows Program.
In the realm of Life and Health, we face unprecedented challenges. Our institutions play a vital role in advancing medical research, enhancing public health education, and developing innovative health solutions that are accessible to all.
To contribute to these efforts, we created the McGill School of Population and Global Health. The School is at the nexus of Bioethics; Epidemiology, Biostatistics & Occupational Health and social policy. Its mandate is to nurture the development of ground-breaking research, novel educational programs, and innovations that address population and global health challenges, to help prevent, protect and enhance the health and well-being of individuals and populations, in Canada and globally.
Together, we can empower communities to leverage scientific insight towards adopting healthier lifestyles and contribute to the development of innovative public policies to advance access to quality healthcare for all.
Green Energy will be essential for mitigating climate change. Higher education institutions are at the forefront of researching and developing renewable energy technologies. With its anchorage in Québec, McGill is strategically positioned to play an important role in this field.
Québec is a powerhouse for the production of clean hydroelectricity, and the Government of Québec announced in 2023 the creation of the new Energy Transition Valley, an innovation zone focusing on the battery industry, transport, green hydrogen, and industrial and port decarbonization. This favorable context, combined with McGill's expertise in this field, notably through our MSSI, one of whose research themes is CleanTech for Carbon and Energy Cycles, will contribute to significant advances and innovations.
With regards to Urban Development for a growing population, the need for sustainable concepts is pivotal.
This involves rethinking urban planning, investing in public transportation, and promoting green spaces to enhance the quality of life for all residents. Our universities can produce valuable research on smart cities, sustainable architecture, and community engagement in urban development.
MSSI’s Adapting Urban Environments theme pursues critical research on urban sustainability across scales – from the neighbourhoods and cities we live in, to the national policies and global networks that inform and influence decision-making.
Lastly, the preservation of Cultural Heritage is vital for fostering social cohesion and identity in our rapidly changing world. As educators and scholars, we must advocate for the protection and celebration of our diverse cultural heritages. This includes promoting interdisciplinary research that examines the relationship between culture, identity, and sustainability. By integrating cultural heritage into our academic programs and campus life, we can encourage students to explore the connections between their own cultures and the global community.
For McGill, in the Québec and Canadian context, this commitment includes recognizing, promoting and strengthening the cultures, traditions, languages, knowledge and contributions of Indigenous peoples. The 2017 Provost's Task Force Final Report on Indigenous Studies and Indigenous Education is McGill's roadmap for advancing Indigeneity on our campuses and in our curricula. Since the launch of this ambitious plan, we have been working hard to advance our 52 Calls to Action for the Indigenization of our university.
A wonderful and inspiring example of our commitment in this area is the travelling exhibition Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, Art, Architecture and Traditional Knowledge. The IQ exhibit was first presented in Reykjavik, Iceland and subsequently in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Greenland, Norway and in Canada. The exhibition pays tribute to the Inuit artists whose work is integrated into the Canadian High Arctic Research Station. By introducing Inuit culture and communities to the world, the exhibition provides a glimpse of the Canadian High Arctic Research Station as a model of holistic approach integrating art and science.
The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is a remarkable region brimming with potential to become a model for higher education and innovation. By building strong, interconnected academic networks, the Greater Bay Area is a global center for education and innovation, a model of cooperation that draws from China’s vision and welcomes diverse perspectives from around the world.
The McGill community would be delighted to contribute to this endeavour.
Indeed, McGill’s all-in commitment to sustainability is expressed at an unprecedented level with the development of a new $870M research centre in Montreal, called the New Vic. By giving a top-class research environment to many of the MSSI research teams, the New Vic is set to become one of the world's largest research centers for sustainable development, teaching and learning, and public policy.
Its connection with the GBA ecosystem, would help create a living example of what the future of higher education could look like: one that transcends borders, integrates different educational systems, fosters technological advancements, and supports a global cultural and scientific exchange.
The New Vic is an outstretched hand to the world's scholarly communities, from China to Canada, to Europe and the Global South, we look forward to opening a new chapter in our collaboration on the global stage.
As we move forward, let us return to the timeless principle of guanxi: the trust, mutual respect, and reciprocity that binds us. We are here today because we believe in the power of working together, transcending borders, and sharing knowledge. We may come from different regions and different systems, but the challenges we face as educators and leaders are shared.
Today’s geopolitical tensions and divisions can often feel overwhelming, and a profound source of uncertainty. Yet, it is precisely in these times that our connections must be stronger. It is our duty as members of the global academic community to bridge divides, focus on what unites us, and uphold our shared values. Our institutions, and every one of us, with our diverse expertise and different perspectives, make a unique contribution to this endeavour.
As a plant biologist, I know that not every flower will bloom when spring comes, but as educators, we must always keep on tirelessly sowing.
This is our call to action.
Let us sow the seeds of knowledge, understanding, and friendship across borders, and together, let us nurture them for a brighter, inclusive, and innovative future.
Thank you for your kind attention.
