Seven presidents from top Chinese universities are meeting with the leaders of several prestigious American universities in Cambridge to discuss issues of higher education, such as how schools organize themselves, fundraise and set educational goals.

This weekend's conference is the first meeting of its kind between American and Chinese university presidents and follows on the heels of two trips to China by Harvard President Neil L. Rudenstine last year.

The seeds for the talks were sown during Rudenstine's second trip in June 1998 when he visited Peking University.

The participants will gather today and tomorrow for a series of discussions and talks, mostly held in the dimly-lit second floor Naumburg Room in the Fogg Art Museum, specially outfitted with translation booths and better lighting for the occasion.

The leaders will talk about how educational institutions decide what to teach and research, and how to form partnerships with government and industry. Speakers will address information technology issues and admissions processes over lunch.

"I'm kind of interested to learn and hear how [Chinese universities] do these things," said Provost Harvey V. Fineberg '67.

The Chinese presidents are hoping to learn from their American peers.

"I know they're very interested in how Harvard does admissions," Fineberg said. "I worry a little bit that they will come with the hope that there's a formula."