From March 17th to 20th 2014, 14 Korean universities co-hosted the largest international education conference in Seoul at the aT Center- the 9th Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) Conference and Exhibition. Chung-Ang University played the role of representative co-host. By organizing this distinguished event, Chung-Ang University was brought into the spotlight of the international education arena, reinforcing its role as a university with a global vision.

A total of approximately 1500 policy makers and education experts from 50 different countries and 200 universities around the globe attended the event, to promote communication, networking and professional skills and new developments in international education. Over 150 exhibition booths from different educational institutions were set up to showcase the higher education landscape in different parts of the world. Attesting to the importance and popularity of the global interchange of education, the APAIE conference was comprised of a series of opportunities for participants to explore new partnerships and programs with institutions and organizations from all over the world.

At the opening ceremony Kilaparti Ramakrishna, the Director of the UN ESCAP East and North-East Asia Office, delivered a congratulatory address on behalf of Ban Ki-moon, the Secretary-General of the United Nations. Ban identified the huge potential of the APAIE conference’s influence on promoting mutual understanding of the Asia Pacific region by bringing people together. Moreover, CAU’s President Lee Yong-goo, as the representative co-host, highlighted the increasing significance of education institutes’ cooperation transcending borders for peace and prosperity. He emphasized the need of prudent consideration for what the most effective method might be and to follow a new paradigm where international education institutes cooperate for peace and prosperity .

On the 19th of March, a Presidents' Roundtable themed “Towards Conscious Higher Education” was hosted at Kyung-Hee University’s Grand Peace Palace. Heads of international education associations from five continents gathered to exchange ideas on “What modern universities should do in the midst of reality and changes, in order to inherit the humane value of academic worlds, as well as its philosophical foundation.” At the Gala Dinner Students from CAU’s School of Korean Music, from the College of Arts performed an astounding traditional Korean music performance. The acts that followed were Kyung-Hee University students’ Taekwondo performance and Dan-Kook University student’s beautiful Korean traditional dance.

On the last day of the APAIE, CAU organized a campus tour. Delegates visited CAU to learn about developments of the university and explore opportunities for collaboration.

Nowadays, impelled by the changing political, social and economic landscape of the Asia-Pacific region, higher education institutions in the region have been increasingly embracing international education as their strategic mission. The 5-day conference themed: “Enhancing Cross-Border Education Cooperation with Universities in Asia-Pacific: From Past to Present and the Future” introduced and shared successful internationalization strategies which demand continuous scanning, adaptation and innovation in line with the changing environment. Now it may be our duty to nourish the possibilities that has just blossomed, for further interactive international education.

저작권자 © 중앙헤럴드 무단전재 및 재배포 금지