Welcome from host, Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland
It is a great pleasure to return to India and to join with colleagues at this G20-QS India Summit, themed on “India’s Global Vision: Building Universities for a Knowledge Economy”.
I extend a warm welcome to all who are here. A rewarding summit awaits us as we imagine the future of India’s knowledge economy, and the building blocks towards that future.
We are facing global challenges and higher education plays a critical role and responsibility in responding to these challenges. For us, those challenges are focused on equity and sustainability. As a higher education community, we must go beyond discussing these challenges to identify solutions and then act on them. This is the knowledge economy in action.
We gather here to learn from each other as we strive to improve equity and inclusion and build a sustainable future into our teaching, research and operations. We will connect with peers to identify and develop partnerships with each other and with industry. This time will inform our individual and organisational efforts as the year unfolds.
We come from the corners of the world to this summit in a country with the world’s second-largest higher education system. Each of us will bring different expertise and experiences to the discussions we will have. The University of Auckland brings a long history of advancement for women and international recognition of sustainability leadership achieved through teaching and research.
I conclude with a Māori proverb New Zealanders know well. Haumi e, Hui e, Taiki e. We come together, united in our purpose.
We value the opportunity to share a common purpose with our colleagues in India.
Professor Dawn Freshwater
Vice-Chancellor
Waipapa Taumata Rau
The University of Auckland
