Date: October 28-31, 2012

Location: Busan, Korea

Host University: Dongseo University

Number of Attendees: 140

Number of Participating Countries and Regions: 17

Number of HEIs attending: 68

Theme: The Era of Asia: Creating a Cooperative Network of Asian Universities

Main Contents:

From October 28 to 31, 2012, the 11st session of the AUPF, themed “The Era of Asia: Creating a Cooperative Network of Asian Universities”, was held by Dongseo University of Korea. Delegates from 68 universities in 17 countries and regions participated. During the forum, participants had rounds of discussions centering on “Practical and Realizable Cooperation Programs”, “The Asian Education Market: Trends and Visions”, “Benchmarks of Internationalization”, “Preparing Students for a Global Workforce” and “Reducing the Impact of Inequality on Higher Education”. President Jekuk Chang of Dongseo University noted that Asia accommodated over 60% of the world’s population and accounted for 27% of the world’s GDP in 2010. The rise of Asia’s culture, economy, science and technology had increased the importance of regional exchanges. The “True Asians” with adaptability, skills for communication, open minds and creative thinking are the talents needed by the world of the future and the personnel to be trained by Asian universities before the dawn of the Asian Era. President Jekuk Chang proposed a summer school initiative under the framework of the AUPF which he believed would provide more opportunities for Asian young people to recognize this area. He further stated that Dongseo University would be the host of the 2013 Summer School Initiative. Through the discussions of all participants and the standing committee members, the Busan Declaration came into being. The Declaration consists of three main parts: the AUPF Secretariat will be located at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, which will later act as the coordinator and information center; the 2013 AUPF will be hosted by Perlis University of Malaysia. The Declaration stipulates that Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, as the Secretariat University of the AUPF, must offer its assistance to regional educational cooperation in Asia.