On April 24, the 11th Meeting of Foreign Affairs Directors of the ASEAN-China-Japan-South Korea University Alliance was held at the Science and Art Center of Xiamen University. With the theme of “Strengthening Unity and Cooperation Among Universities in ASEAN and Other Regions to Promote Sustainable and Inclusive Growth”, this meeting gathered over 80 participants, including vice presidents in charge of international affairs, directors of international exchange offices from 40 universities across 12 countries in ASEAN, China, Japan and South Korea, as well as the person in charge of the ASEAN University Network (AUN) Secretariat and experts and scholars in related fields. Zhang Zongyi, President of Xiamen University, and Choltis Dhirathiti, Executive Director of the AUN Secretariat, attended the meeting and delivered opening speeches. The opening ceremony was presided over by Shi Dalin, Vice President of Xiamen University. Professor Bie Dunrong, Dean of our institute, Professor Wu Wei and Assistant Professor Yu Jingran also participated in the meeting. The meeting was hosted by the AUN Secretariat and undertaken by Xiamen University.
Professor Bie Dunrong was invited to give a keynote report entitled “The Popularization of Higher Education in China and Its Contribution to Social Human Capital - With a Discussion on Higher Education Exchange and Cooperation Between China and ASEAN Countries”. In his report, he comprehensively expounded on the development process and current situation of the popularization of higher education in China, the development and prospects of the popularization of higher education in ASEAN, as well as the prospects for higher education cooperation and exchange between China and ASEAN. Professor Bie pointed out that in-depth cooperation in the field of higher education will provide an inexhaustible driving force for the sustainable economic and social development of China, ASEAN countries and even the whole world. His wonderful report left a deep impression on all participants, and the experts present spoke highly of it. Professor Bie also enthusiastically responded to the questions raised by the on-site experts.
In the afternoon, Professor Wu Wei and Assistant Professor Yu Jingran participated in a parallel panel discussion themed “Universities, Stakeholders, and Partners”. Participants shared their insights around topics such as how universities can enhance scientific research and knowledge exchange, how to promote inter-university cooperation projects and student exchanges, and how to establish interdisciplinary cooperation and partnerships. Professor Wu Wei and Assistant Professor Yu Jingran introduced the teaching and research characteristics of our institute to the participants, and focused on putting forward suggestions on how to carry out research on topics related to comparative higher education.
The ASEAN University Network (AUN) was established in 1995, and the ASEAN-China-Japan-South Korea (ASEAN+3) University Alliance has evolved from the AUN. The ASEAN-China-Japan-South Korea University Alliance has made positive efforts and contributions to promoting cooperation among universities in ASEAN, China, Japan and South Korea in areas such as university governance, information sharing, and youth exchanges. This meeting is the highest-level gathering of university foreign affairs directors in Asia and will have a positive impact on regional higher education cooperation.
Graphic by: Lin Lin and Jin Xinyi
Translated by:Dai Lan
