2000 Conference of Asian University Presidents

Shin-ichi Ago
Chairman of the Steering Committee for the "2000 Conference of Asian University Presidents"
Professor, Faculty of Law

On the 5th and 6th of December, the "2000 Conference of Asian University Presidents" was held at Kyushu University.Since its foundation, Kyushu University has developed academic exchanges and cooperation with universities in Asia.In addition to the academic achievements already made by individual researchers, it is our intention to form a network of research and education on topics related to Asia.

In the opening address of the conference, President Yoichi Sugioka of Kyushu University emphasized the importance of further promoting the "Kyushu University Asian Research Organization" and the "Research Center for Korean Studies" and for further developing student exchange programs, namely the UMAP Program. He referred to his hope of establishing branch offices of Kyushu University in Asian countries where Kyushu staff may stay as regular contact points with universities in the surrounding region.

On the first day of the conference, a discussion entitled "The significance of Asian Universities in the 21st century" was held at Kyushu University Memorial Auditorium. Prof. Dr.Jae Yoon Park, President of Pusan National University, made a keynote speech and said "In the 21st century characterized by informationalization and globalization, we should educate young talents to adjust to the changing world, and provide mankind with opportunities for continuing education. We, Asian universities, must join together in order to respond to such challenges."

The afternoon was assigned to the discussion entitled "Promoting mutual understanding and cooperation in education and research." Kyushu University's new projects, such as UMAP Leaders Program, Kyushu University Asian Research Organization, and Research Center for Korean Studies, were introduced to the attendants and other individual exchanges were presented as well.

On the second day, invited participants met Kyushu University's faculty members to start new cooperative relations. In the afternoon they visited the Collaboration Station and University Hospital under construction at the Hospital Campus. They also visited the Chikushi Campus to inspect the high-tech research in progress at Kyushu University.

This was the second Presidents' meeting to be held at Kyushu University, following the "2000 International Symposium on Universities' Present and Future" that was held in May 2000. This time the agenda was focused on Asia and resulted in fruitful discussion on how to develop cooperativeties in both research and education.