Activities with ASEAN's dialogue partners
ASEAN - Russia

Cooperation under ASEAN-Russia

ASEAN-Russia Academic Co-operation

One of the newest initiatives of the ASEAN University Network in the new millennium is the establishment of academic collaboration between ASEAN and Russia, the largest country in the world with relatively advanced level in science and technology, abundant natural resources and high potential in economic development. In October 2000, the AUN Executive Director, was invited by ASEAN-Thailand to join the team of Director-Generals responsible for ASEAN Affairs from various ASEAN countries and a representative of the ASEAN Secretariat to participate in the Workshop on “Russia-ASEAN Dialogue Relation”. In the workshop, Dr. Supachai has introduced to Russian government officers, educators and businessmen of the ASEAN University Network and also presented the initiatives of ASEAN-Russia academic co-operation. It is delightful that several Russian universities and institutions of higher learning expressed their interests in participating in AUN activities.

In order to start the co-operation, the AUN, as the focal point for promoting ASEAN-Russia co-operation on education and human resource development, has drafted the proposal containing two main activities as the first two steps of the collaboration. The first activity is the ASEAN-Russia Roundtable Meeting, which is designed as the preparatory meeting for Vice-Presidents or Vice-Rectors from AUN and Russian universities to learn each other’s higher educational systems and seek possible academic collaboration. The information obtained from the Roundtable will be used to prepare for the First ASEAN-Russia Rectors Conference. During the conference, activities to enhance higher educational co-operation between ASEAN and Russia will be identified and prioritised. It is currently at the stage of seeking funding to support the two activities.

Current Status

The AUN Secretariat has submitted the Project Proposal on “First ASEAN-Russia Rectors Conference’ to the Russian side for consideration. The activities in the Project include, firstly, the ASEAN-Russia Roundtable Meeting, which is designed as the preparatory meeting for Vice-Presidents or Vice-Rectors from AUN and Russian universities to learn and exchange ideas on one another’s higher educational systems and seek possible academic collaboration. The information obtained from the Roundtable will be used to prepare for the first ASEAN-Russia Rectors Conference, which is the second activity of the Project. At the Rectors Conference, activities to enhance higher educational co-operation between ASEAN and Russia will be identified and prioritised.

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