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Asia

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Network Points Scheme
~to augment the links among Asian universities~
Shin-ichi Ago
Professor
Dean -- Faculty of Law
KUARO Committee Chairman

At the 2001 Conference of Asian University Presidents, Kyushu University proposed Network Points Scheme, which aims at promoting active interaction among Asian researchers. The Network Points Scheme is being initiated with the establishment of offices at universities across the Asian region to serve as venues for joint projects or other academic activities. These "points," which are spread throughout Asia, make up an integrated network system of member institutions and assist students and researchers in training or in joint tasks to exchange information and study the region. Tele-seminar, credit-transfer, visiting lectures, and sharing databases are good examples of the system. The type of department in charge of administrating the system differs depending on the individual institution. In some cases, international affairs departments may take charge, and in other cases, specialized bureaus may be put in place. At Kyushu University, KUARO (Kyushu University Asian Research Organization) serves as a "point" for a series of cooperative activities and other academic events. The Network Points Scheme lays emphasis on the "practical" convention rather than expedient paperwork. In fact, there seems to be many agreements of no use among universities. On the other hand, some universities have already, to a great extent, moved towards new trials of joint research and seminars. Setting up offices for universities is the first step towards an innovative network system of Asian Universities, and will provide the opportunities among member institutions to build upon new cooperative relationships. It was a great pleasure to receive much inspiring feedback from conference participants. It also ensured a degree of success of the 2001 Conference of Asian University Presidents, and at the same time we reaffirmed the need of Network Points Scheme. Kyushu University sees "Asian research" as a pillar of globalization and focuses on the Asian studies in all disciplines. Kyushu University acknowledges that it is our mission to promote joint research among Asian universities and to link scholars and resources in the region. This new collaboration will contribute to the vast development of Asia. Kyushu University expects that Network Points Scheme will become the gateway to new cooperative relations among Asian universities in the 21st century.		2001 Conference of Asian University Presidents (Oct. 4~5, 2001. Coordinated by Kyushu University) Twenty-three universities from across the Asian region were represented at the second Conference of Asian University Presidents held at Kyushu University. The main purpose of the conference was to define how Asian Universities would play their roles in this era of globalization. In order to implement the concept "to a facet from a point," as raised by Dr. Sugioka, a former President of Kyushu University, the "Network Points Scheme" was proposed. The next conference is to be held at Pusan National University, Korea. Network Points (NP) Network Points Scheme is pursued in many ways with various academic exchanges such as: -Academic exchange programs: Visiting scholars, Student exchange, Joint research -Education: Credit transfer, Tele-lectures using IT facilities, Lectures by visiting scholars -Information: Sharing data on Asian research and researchers (Kyushu University offers a database system for the improvement and expansion of data resources.)
		KUARO's office is in this LYCEUM building.
		KUARO’s web site http://www.lyceum.kyushu-u.ac.jp/eng/index.html