By: Ivan Kurt Monasterial
The recently concluded Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) Conference 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand last 12-17 March 2023, focused on the theme “Towards a sustainable future for international education in the Asia-Pacific.”
The APAIE Conference, organized annually by the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education, serves as a platform for networking and knowledge sharing among stakeholders in international higher education. This year’s conference, held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in Bangkok, brought together delegates from various universities and featured pre-workshop conferences, plenary sessions, regional and global dialogues, and exhibitions showcasing participating universities.
The conference addressed the theme through four main streams: student experience and well-being, partnerships, and mobility, programs, and student recruitment. As the international education sector adapts to the challenges of the pandemic, there is a growing need to ensure sustainability and align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Representatives from UP’s Office of International Linkages, Mr. Guillian Mecate, Head of Program Development and Strategy, and Ms. Marilyn Nirza, MOVE-UP Program Associate, participated in the conference. They attended pre-workshop conferences, plenary sessions, and engaged in bilateral meetings with representatives from partner universities. Valuable connections were established with institutions such as Ritsumeikan University, Walailak University, Nanyang Technological University, Hiroshima University, International School of Business and Management, Universidad Tecnológica Del Perú, University of Waikato, and the Association of Pacific Rim Universities.
The APAIE 2023 Conference served as a catalyst for discussions on creating a sustainable future for international education in the Asia-Pacific region. The engagement of UP in the conference highlighted the university’s commitment to internationalization and its role in shaping a more sustainable higher education landscape. By implementing the suggested corrective actions, UP can contribute to the advancement of international education while aligning with global sustainability goals.