American International University–Bangladesh [AIUB] participated in the 2^nd AUAP-IAUP Joint International Conference 2019 and Sias University's 20th anniversary Celebration, held from 23^rd –25^th May 2019. The Conference was hosted by the Sias International University, Henan, China.

The theme of the conference was “Future Higher Education Model and Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities and Challenges”. Mr. Ziarat H. Khan, Senior Assistant Professor, Faculty of Business Administration and Deputy Director of Student Service and Welfare, OSA, AIUB represented AIUB on behalf of Dr. Carmen Z. Lamagna the Vice Chancellor of AIUB in the conference.

The conference was inaugurated by Dr. Shawn Chen, Founder and Chairman of Sias International University and Treasurer of IAUP. In the inaugural ceremony, Prof. Mahmoud Nili Ahmadabadi, President of Association of Universities of the Asia and the Pacific (AUAP) and Dr. Kakha Shengelia President of International Association of University Presidents (IAUP) were distinguished guests during the event.

A total 6 enlightening sessions with revered keynote speakers:  Prof. Youmin Xi, Executive President, Xi’an Jiao Tong Liverpool University, China; Prof. Richard Dasher, Director of the US-Asia Technology Management Center, Stanford University, USA; Dr. Chenyang Xu, UC Berkeley EEC Industry Advisory Board Member, Co-Founding Partner, Silicon Valley Future Academy, USA; Dr. Santiago Garcia Rodriguez, Dean for Global Business, Rennes School of Business, France; Kevin Brookhouser, Google for Education Certified Trainer, Microsoft Innovative Educator, USA; Mr. Andy Lee, President, Innovation First International Ltd., Hong Kong. The keynote sessions were followed by a panel discussion chaired by Dr. Shawn Chen, and the other speakers were Dr. Ronald Ellis, President, California Baptist University, USA; Dr. Adela de la Torre, President, San Diego State University, USA; Dr. Fernando Leon Garcia, President, CETYS University, Mexico; Dr. Qiang Zheng, Vice Secretary of the Party Committee, Zhejiang University, China and Dr. Brent White, Vice Provost, The University of Arizona, USA. The program then held the AUAP Board Meeting and the IAUP Executive Committee Meeting simultaneously.

An encouraging session on networking, AIUB signed 16 Memorandums of Understanding [MoUs] between the participating universities. The event was concluded with an amazing farewell dinner and breathtaking cultural performance featuring the Chinese culture.

On an auspicious occasion of the 20^th Anniversary of Sias University, Dr. Shawn Chen delivered an inspiring message.  The occasion was followed by a tour to the Shaolin Temple, a world-renowned Zen Buddhist Temple being the birthplace of Shaolin Kung Fu.