On July 10, the 1st Joint Meeting between the International Association of University Presidents (IAUP) and theAssociation of Universities of Asia and the Pacific (AUAP) was held at the University of Surabaya, in Surabaya, Indonesia. The Founder and Chairman of the Board of Sias, Dr. Shawn Chen, who is the Chairman of the AUAP Advisory Council, was invited to attend the Meeting. Dr. Chen also served as the President of the AUAP from 2014 to 2016 and was an Executive Board Member. He was accompanied by Sias Executive Vice President, Dong Qiming, and leaders from Sias' Office of International Affairs, and School of Literature.

During the meeting, Dr. Shawn Chen signed cooperation agreements on behalf of Sias International University with the University of Western Sydney (from Australia), Caucasus University (from Tbilisi, Georgia), and the Durban University of Technology (from South Africa). Dr. Chen also invited IAUP and AUAP members to Sias' 20th Anniversary celebrations.

Later, Dr. Chen delivered a speech, titled "Future Leadership", to members of the Indonesian University Alliance at the University of Surabaya.

The First Joint IAUP-AUAP Meeting was themed "Developing the Sustainability of Higher Education Institutions in the Digital Era", and lasted for 4 days. A large number of international education experts were present, and conferences and discussions were held on the challenges, opportunities, and difficulties with regard to higher education in the digital age.