On January 23, 2016, the “University Alliance for Cross-Strait Prevention and Reduction of Natural Disasters & Sustainable Development” Seminar initiated by eight universities and scientific research institutions, including Sichuan University, Beijing Normal University, Taiwan University, Taiwan University of Science and Technology, University of Macau, Macau University of Science and Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Hong Kong Jockey Club Disaster Preparedness & Response Institute, were solemnly opened in the SCU-HKPU Institute for Disaster Management and Reconstruction; over 40 specialists and scholars from four districts across the strait attended this event.

In the opening speech, Academician Xie Heping, President of SCU, said that SCU always assumes the responsibility of solving crisis faced by the human beings. By integrating resources of high standard international universities and scientific research institutions in various domains, SCU has carried out positive and effective research and exploration in solving crisis and problems involving global ecology, environment, population, resources and terrorism, said him. He also noted that in 2010, SCU established the first institute for global disaster management and reconstruction in collaboration with the Hong KongPolytechnicUniversity, making contribution to providing universal experience and achievements in response to major disaster crisis and training of high-quality professionals in natural disaster prevention and reduction as well as social services to the world. It’s believed that the Alliance could attract more talents and scientific research force in the four districts across the strait, promote the cultivation of high-caliber talents in the domain of disaster prevention and reduction, boost research and innovative development of frontier science and technology responding to disasters; moreover, this could further enhance the technological level and management ability of universities to handle major disasters. It could also unlock the potential of universities in responding to major disasters and promote sustainable development of disaster prevention and reduction career.

Representatives of the founding members addressed the seminar about the pattern, mechanism, content and advantages of theAlliance. Besides, discussion was carried out on matters about regulations of theAlliance, holding of the founding conference, establishment of the academic board and secretariat, as well as the Forum of the Cross-Strait Prevention and Reduction of Natural Disasters & Sustainable Development. Agreement on these matters was reached during the seminar.

The University Alliance for Cross-Strait Prevention and Reduction of Natural Disasters & Sustainable Development was established with its aim of building a cooperative and exchange platform in disaster prevention and reduction, green sustainability, toughness construction and global climate change for the universities in four districts across the strait, so as to realize resource sharing, exchange, communication and determine direction of frontier disciplinary development. TheAllianceis dedicated to accelerating development and improvement of human society by contributing to the cultivation of versatile talents in universities, encouraging student innovation and entrepreneurship, strengthening in-depth cooperation of industry-university-research cooperation, joint exploration of new directions and new domains of disciplinary development and establishing new example of regional cooperation.