ASEM Rectors,Students Propose Policy Recommendation for Korea

TEMPO.CO, Prague - University leaders and students from all 51 Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) partner countries developed proposals for the upcoming ASEM Education Ministers’ Meeting (ASEM ME6) to be held in 2017 in Korea. The proposals were presented to the Korean Vice-Minister of Education.

Over 200 university leaders, business representatives, government officials and students from all 51 ASEM partner countries gathered on 4-8 April 2016 in Prague, the Czech Republic, for the 5th ASEM Rectors’ Conference and Students’ Forum (ARC5). This edition of ARC saw the greatest diversity in Asia-Europe representation since its inception in 2008.

The conference, “Employability: Asia and Europe Prepare the New Generation”, offered a unique platform for solution-oriented government-university-business dialogue through exchanges between Asian and European counterparts.

Representing the ASEM ME6 host country, Professor LEE Young, Vice-Minister of Education of the Republic of Korea, received the Policy Recommendations developed by different stakeholders of ARC5. “Young people must be equipped with a more flexible, innovative and specialist skillset to help them navigate through this new economy,” stated Professor LEE.

The recommendations will be first channelled to ASEM education policy-makers through the ASEM Intermediate Senior Officials’ Meeting (ISOM) of ASEM ME6. Themed “Global Connection for ASEM Education” , the ISOM will take place on 13-14 April 2016 in Moscow, the Russian Federation.

At ARC5, there were several panel discussions and working groups for participants to share ideas and best practices on how to tackle challenges related to youth employment and rapid changes in the labour market and skills development.

“As globalisation and digitalisation advance, a host of new job profiles is emerging. To capitalise on such opportunities, we need to align education systems, businesses and policy-makers to equip young people with the right hard and soft skills that today’s market requires. The ASEM Rectors’ Conference is the perfect platform to bring together public and private parties along with education system representatives, to share best practice and discuss concerted action,”highlightedMr Alain DEHAZE, Chief Executive Officer of the Adecco Group, one of the keynote speakers at the conference.

ARC5 was co-organised by the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) and Charles University in Prague with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic. Home Credit B.V., Samsung, the International Association of Universities, the ASEAN University Network, the European Students’ Union and the Erasmus Student Network contributed as supporters.

The Recommendations from ARC5 will be available on ASEF’s website for public dissemination.

For more information, please visit http://bit.ly/ARC5

TEMPO