UNEP Prexy attends 13th Asian University President’s Forum in Thailand

NAKHON PATHOM PROVINCE, THAILAND ----  The clamor for a more synergistic action to  tackle the transcultural challenges being faced by Asian universities gave way to one of the biggest gatherings of university presidents in the Christian University of Thailand recently, this year’s host for the said significant event.

Dubbed as the 13th Asian University President’s Forum, the event served as a venue where participants were given a chance to partake of the lectures and discussions on the prevailing transcultural challenges covering science and technology, social and health concerns, among others.

This year’s theme focused on the “transcultural challenges for Innovation in Higher education.”

University of Northeastern Philippines (UNEP) President,  Atty. Remelisa Alfelor-Moraleda was among the leaders of Asian universities and regions who was personally invited to attend the said event.  Moraleda was with other university officials from different higher education associations in Asia and continents who had the opportunity to listen to various discourse from key note speakers

The participants were welcomed by the President of Christian University of Thailand, Assistant Professor Dr. Janjira Wongkhomthong who is also the Chair of Steering Committee of 13th Asian University Presidents Forum.

Dr. Suvit Maesincee, Director of Sasin Institute for Global Affairs ( SIGA) spoke on the main theme of the program which is the transcultural challenges concerning innovations in higher education. The talk intends to emphasize the significance of establishing a mechanism where university presidents can have a fruitful discourse and exchanges that would lead to better understanding of the current challenge being faced by the academe.

A lecture on transcultural research for Innovation was also delivered by Professor Dr. Pavich Thongroj, Chancellor of Kalasin Rajabhat University Council and Nakhon Phanom University Council. He was also the former President of Mahasarakham University and Farmer General Secretary of OHEC Thailand.

In line with his lecture, various research papers were presented to the participants in the said forum.  The organizers subdivided the theme into three: one, transcultural challenges for innovation in sciences and technology; second, transcultural challenges for innovation in health sciences and third, transcultural challenges for innovation in humanity, social sciences and other fields.

Moraleda stated that this interchange of information and management experience between and amongst the various institutions of higher learning will strengthen collaboration of various education officials coming from different colleges and universities in Asia towards an enhanced and better communication. This, she added is geared towards the realization of common development.

The forum, according to their established history, is an offshoot of the cooperation among Asian non-governmental universities, which initially evolved from the Non-governmental Collaborative Association of Presidents of Chinese and Thai Institutions of Higher Learning set up at Srinakharinwirot University, Thailand, in 2002.

As it gained respect and caught the attention of the academe, it has expanded and accommodated universities from other Asian countries.  An annual meeting was then agreed upon to ensure that international academic collaborations will continue.  (UNEP)

Lizel S. Macatangay
# 0918-5532-103