Date: December 16-18, 2010

Location: Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Host University: Norton University

Number of Attendees: 55

Number of Participating Countries and Regions: 11

Number of HEIs attending: 17

Theme: Challenges and Prospects for Higher Education Institutions

Main Contents:

The 9th session of the AUPF was hosted by Norton University of Cambodia in Phnom Penh from December 16 to 18, 2010. This session was attended by 55 university presidents and professors from 17 universities in 11 countries and regions. The theme of this session was “Challenges and Prospects for Higher Education Institutions” and consisted of key-note speeches, a presidents’ dialogue and parallel discussions. A press conference was held during the forum and followed by the signing ceremony of a cooperation agreement. The Minister of Education of Cambodia attended the opening ceremony and gave a speech.

This session was themed on the challenges and prospects for higher education institutions. The participants actively engaged in rounds of discussions centering on the cooperation and development of Asian universities, the methods of developing research-oriented or teaching-oriented universities, and how to intensify and improve international exchanges among teaching faculty and increase and perfect students’ international education experience.

The participants agreed that the trend of educational internationalization reflected the demand of economic globalization; the need for communication and integrated development of world universities; the need for the development of university teaching and research; and the need for the development of teachers and students. Facing the increasing impact of educational internationalization, no single university could isolate itself from this universal trend. Asian universities, in particular, should strengthen their ties and increase their awareness of internationalization, expand areas of exchange and cooperation and seek common development.