BEIJING, April 8 (Xinhua) -- A dialogue on the COVID-19 epidemic was held online on Wednesday, which attracted representatives of more than 40 universities from 18 countries and regions in the world.

The representatives from Yale University, Edinburgh University, Peking University, and other universities worldwide attended the dialogue through online video conference to discuss the missions and responsibilities of universities in the global combat against the virus.

They introduced the universities' efforts to ensure the health of teachers and students under the epidemic situation, sharing experience and conducting in-depth discussions on the challenges and prospects of online education, the cooperation of universities in scientific research, teaching, and the future development of universities.

Universities should assume their due mission and responsibility in the face of the epidemic, strengthen scientific researches on the epidemic prevention and control, promote mutual understanding and support among different civilizations, said Hao Ping, president of Peking University at the video conference.