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Nurturing future leaders to embrace cross-cultural diversity and harmony

(Aug 3, 2015, Hangzhou, China) Organized and designed by Bai Xian Asia Institute (BXAI), the first BXAI’s Summer Program (“the Summer Program”) kicked off at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China today.  About 80 top university students from across Asia attended the Summer Program, the core component of Asian Future Leaders Scholarship Program (AFLSP), from Aug 3-21, 2015.  Scholars and their buddies from eight universities in six Asian cities, as well as selected Zhejiang University students, come together to engage in a series of dynamic academic and non-academic activities, covering sports, movies, tours, corporate visits and more.

Dedicated to “building bridges across cultures”, the BXAI 2015 Summer Program adopts a holistic approach to education.  Students will be given the rare opportunity to engage in interactive learning activities and challenges with some of the top academic, business and non-profit brains of the world today.  Students will consider a broad spectrum of global topics that significantly affect Asia, interact with each other, and learn from leaders across multiple spheres and disciplines.  BXAI hopes to foster long-lasting friendships in Asia and nurture future leaders who embrace harmony and diversity in the region.

Mr. Okada Kenichi, Deputy Consulate-General, Japanese Consulate-General in Shanghai, joined Mr Sun Wenyou, Vice Chairman of Zhejiang Provincial CPPCC and Minister of United Front Work Department of Zhejiang Province, Mr Wu Zhaohui, President of Zhejiang University, Mr Zhang Junsheng, Chairman of Development Committee of Zhejiang University, Ms Zhou Guping, Deputy Party Secretary of Zhejiang University, and many other academic and business leaders to interact with the students.  They were moved by the encouraging words from Daisuke Yoshida, Director-General of Higher Education Bureau, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan.

Mr. Mark Schwartz, Vice Chairman of Goldman Sachs Group and Chairman of Goldman Sachs Asia Pacific, who is also a member of BXAI’s Advisory Council, Mr. Ronald Chao, Honorary Chairman of BXAI, representatives from Zhejiang University went on stage to start the 80 students off on their journey towards building a colorful and harmonious Modern Asia.

Ms. Ronna Chao, Chief Executive Officer of BXAI, remarked: “BXAI has a mission and vision to develop future leaders who embrace cross-cultural diversity for lasting friendship and harmony amongst countries in Asia.  Every scholar awarded the scholarship has already demonstrated his or her potential as a future leader.  We at BXAI strive to widen our students’ exposure through our network of enterprise partners.”

Commenting on the vision of BXAI, Ms. Chao added: “BXAI is committed to building a vibrant and collaborative community of alumni, academics, universities, corporates, funders, sponsors, government agencies, philanthropic and non-profit organizations, as well as individuals who share our values, vision and mission.”

We hope as members of this community, our Scholars will flourish in their respective fields, continue to inspire and be inspired, share the fruits of their knowledge, and remain committed to supporting and connecting with each other.

Professor Woo Chia-Wei, President of BXAI, explained: “The Academic Sessions cover eight carefully chosen topics from many fields, the aim of which is to direct our scholars’ attention to issues that future leaders would likely ponder and act upon, either within their own countries or in collaboration with other countries.  Scholars will be encouraged to continue research of these topics during the following academic year.”

Business leaders ready to share their personal experiences with the scholars in the coming three weeks include amongst others: Mr. Tung Chee Hwa, Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference; Mr. Mark Schwartz, Vice Chairman of Goldman Sachs Group and Chairman of Goldman Sachs Asia Pacific; Mr. Richard Buckley, Deputy Chairman Asia of Sotheby’s; Ms. Pat Tsao, Founder and President of Pan Asia Innovation Association for Young Entrepreneurs and Retirees in Taiwan; Mr. Masaaki Ogino, Founder and Chairman of Fenix Group Holdings Ltd; Mr. John Wood, Co-Founder of Room to Read.

Renowned academic speakers will include amongst others: Professor Hiroshi Matsumoto, President of RIREN and immediate past President of Kyoto University; Professor Tsui Lap-Chee, Director of Qiushi Academy for Advanced Studies of Zhejiang University and immediate past Vice Chancellor of The University of Hong Kong; Professor GuoXiajuan, School of Public Affairs of Zhejiang University; Professor Daniel Bell, Chair Professor of theSchwarzman Scholars Program at Tsinghua University; Professor Jay Chen, Visiting Professor at Peking University and Taiwan Cheng Kung University; Professor Mariko Bando, President and Chancellor of Showa Women’s University; Professor Byung Koo Kim, nuclear energy adviser at the King Abdullah City for Atomic & Renewable Energy in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia.

Among topics being discussed during the Academic Sessions is: “Social/Global Issues – Disasters, Pollution, Pandemic, Health Care, and Ageing Society, as they relate to industries, the economy, and the environment”.  Discussions will also include the role of women in East Asian societies; the impact of an ageing society on young people; human resource movement as related to cross-border job opportunities; and the possibilities of an East Asian community.

In addition to Academic Sessions, panel discussions amongst thought leaders from various sectors will be held on a wide range of current topics, including: “Resource, Scarcity and Sustainability”; “Organization DNA Powered by Women”, and “Meritocracy vs. Inclusion, The Future of Leadership”.

Other activities will include personal and group development sessions and challenges, corporate visits and workshops, as well as intimate chats with professors and other thought leaders.

Currently, the BXAI network consists of 6 Anchor Universities and 10 Participating Universities across nine cities in Greater China, Japan and Korea.

The 6 Anchor Universities are: Hitotsubashi University, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kyoto University, Peking University, Waseda University, and Zhejiang University.

The 10 Participating Universities are: Fudan University, Keio University, Kyushu University, Seoul National University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Taiwan University, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The University of Hong Kong, The University of Tokyo and Tsinghua University.

BXAI provides full scholarships for selected Asian students to study abroad at leading Asian universities.  Up to 105 students are supported each year to pursue undergraduate, MBA, or other Master/Doctoral degree studies at one of the 16 Asian Anchor or Participating universities.

About Bai Xian Asia Institute

Bai Xian Asia Institute (“BXAI” or the “Institute”) was established in January 2014 to oversee the development and implementation of the AsianFuture Leaders Scholarship Program (“AFLSP”) – a program to empower young scholars and leading universities across Asia to engage with one another in academic discourse, to share their knowledge and experiences, and to understand and appreciate the similarities and differences between nations, cultures and peoples of Asia.  For more information, please visit www.bxai.org.

The Government of Japan awarded Mr. Ronald Chao ‘The Order of The Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon’ (旭日中綬章).  This commendation is to praise Mr. Chao for his significant contribution towards promoting mutual understanding and friendship between Japan, China, Hong Kong, and Macau through economic exhcange and support for student exchange.

Bai Xian Asia Institute (Japan) Inc. (“BXAIJ”) was established in November 2014 to support incoming scholars attending universities in Japan and outgoing Japanese scholars; promote the AFLSP in Japan; and garner support and collaboration from the business community in Japan.

Since its establishment, BXAIJ has organized various events to connect all of its stakeholders and promote the AFLSP.  A Launch Event was held on 25 November 2014 at The International House of Japan in Tokyo, which was widely attended by members of The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Japan, members of the Japanese business community and various Japanese government ministries.

While Shanghai Jiao Tong University was celebrating the launch of its Asian Youth Center (AYC), Zhejiang University’s AYC was officially opened on October 28.  Among the first batch of 126 students, 15 are Chinese and the rest are international students.