The third cross-strait forum for university presidents has concluded on Friday.

Both sides have reached the consensus to build a more friendly and efficient environment for students, as well as to strengthen cultural and educational exchanges.

54 university presidents from both sides of the Taiwan Strait recently took part in a 1.5-day forum to exchange viewpoints and network.

During the forum, Shih Hsin University signed sister university agreements with China's Lanzhou University and Jilin University. SHU President Lai Ting-ming further expressed hopes that his school would be able to conduct future exchanges with many institutions across China.

In discussing the development of cross-strait educational ties, Lai also said that it would greatly benefit Taiwan's teachers if they were given the opportunity to teach in China for one-month periods.

Meanwhile, many Chinese university presidents called on Taiwan to expand its list of recognized universities from 41 to 100. While acknowledging that many policy and technical obstacles still need to be overcome, both sides were extremely optimistic during the forum.

Some are also suggesting the establishment of a cross-strait exchange foundation and signing a cross-strait educational consensus to govern relevant affairs.