Tilghman travels to Asia to strengthen ties
President Tilghman made numerous stops during a weeklong trip to Asia to learn more about the future of the region and increase awareness of the educational opportunities available at Princeton. (above) Tilghman spoke with students from Fudan University and International School in Shanghai, China. (photo: Joseph Tan, United World College of South East Asia, Singapore)
Princeton NJ — President Tilghman and a University delegation traveled to Asia March 10-16 to learn more about the future of the region and to increase awareness of the educational opportunities available at Princeton.
The itinerary included Singapore March 10-11, Shanghai March 12-13 and Hong Kong March 13-16. It was Tilghman’s first visit to Singapore as well as the first visit to that country by a sitting president in the history of the University. She previously has traveled to other countries in Asia, including China, as president of the University and as a member of a senior-level scientific delegation.
At each stop, Tilghman met with education leaders and government officials. In Singapore, she held a private meeting with Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew to explore his views on the future of Singapore and its role in the world. She also met with senior government and education officials at National University of Singapore.
In addition, Tilghman visited Singapore’s state-of-the-art biomedical research center, Biopolis, where she met with leaders of A*Star, Singapore’s governmental agency for science, technology and research. At the United World College of South East Asia, Tilghman spoke with principals and students.
Tilghman completed her visit to Singapore by hosting an event for alumni, parents of current Princeton students and other friends of the University living in the region. Singapore government ministers and university presidents were guests.
Tilghman and Stephen Oxman (left), chair of the executive committee of Princeton’s Board of Trustees, also met with Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew to explore his views on the future of Singapore and its role in the world. (below) She led a session with the entire 11th-grade class and school leaders at the United World College of South East Asia in Singapore. (photos: Margaret Miller)
In Shanghai, Tilghman visited officials, students and faculty members from Fudan University and International School. Princeton has developed a strong connection with Fudan University’s Institute for Advanced Humanistic Studies.
She also learned more about broad policy issues facing Shanghai during a meeting of education and government representatives hosted by Yang Jiemian, director of Shanghai Institute for International Studies (SIIS). Anne-Marie Slaughter, dean of the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, is spending this year at SIIS in an effort to foster connections between Princeton and partners in Asia.
The visit to Hong Kong featured a conference with prominent alumni from the region who are influential in shaping commerce and finance around the world. Participants included businessmen Andy Yan and William Fung, and also Sir Gordon Wu. Yan, a 1990 Princeton graduate alumnus, is head of Asia’s leading venture capital fund, Soft Bank Asia Infrastructure Fund, and was an economist with the World Bank and a research fellow at the State Commission for Economic Restructuring of the State Council of China. Fung, a 1970 Princeton alumnus, heads the global manufacturing firm Li & Fung. Wu, a 1958 Princeton alumnus, has led his company, Hopewell Holdings, to become one of the largest civil construction companies in Asia, building roads, bridges, buildings and power plants.
In Hong Kong, Tilghman also hosted a kickoff event for alumni and friends for Aspire, Princeton’s $1.75 billion fundraising campaign that was launched on campus in November. Entertainment was provided by the University’s Jazz Composers Collective, directed by Anthony D.J. Branker.
