Education
Programme
The ASEF Regional Conference on Higher Education (ARC) – formerly known as the ASEF Rectors’ Conference and Students’ Forum – is the Official Dialogue Partner of the ASEM Education Ministers Meeting (ASEMME) and the only bi-regional multi-stakeholder dialogue platform for university and student leaders, policymakers and ministers to discuss higher education issues and shape the education landscape in Asia and Europe. ARC is recognised as the Official Dialogue Partner of the ASEM Education Ministers Meeting (ASEM ME). Its results, including policy recommendations and research, feed into the preparation of ASEM MEs.
Established in 2008, the ASEF Regional Conference on Higher Education (ARC) – formerly known as the ASEF Rectors’ Conference and Students’ Forum – is a multi-stakeholder dialogue platform for university leaders, policy makers and education practitioners, and students to discuss higher education issues and shape the education landscape in Asia and Europe.
ARC is recognised as the Official Dialogue Partner of the ASEM Education Ministers Meeting (ASEM ME). Its results, including policy recommendations and research, feed into the preparation of ASEM MEs. The ARC programme cycle covers two years and is aligned with the timeline of the ASEM Education Process. Its results, including research, and policy recommendations, feed into the preparations for ASEM Education Senior Officials’ Meetings (SOMs) and the ASEM Education Ministers Meetings (MEs).
For the past 15 years, ARC has continuously evolved and contributed with various outputs (policy recommendations, research, and events) to the ASEM Education Process, and created opportunities for key Asian and European stakeholders to connect. ARC’s role as a valuable dialogue partner has been reiterated at all ASEMMEs, and its outcomes and outputs helped to sustain a dynamic ASEM Education Process.
10th ASEF Regional Conference on Higher Education (ARC10)
[Un]debated Ways of Rethinking Higher Education
2024 – 2026
Past editions of ARC have brought together over 800 universities, students and thought leaders representing 430+ organisations from the 51 Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) partner countries to discuss emerging higher education issues concerning both regions and to inform ASEM policy makers.
9th ASEF Regional Conference on Higher Education (ARC9)
“Asia-Europe Higher Education Mapping: Working Towards the Sustainable Development Goals”
January 2022 – March 2024, Online and In-person
8th ASEF Regional Conference on Higher Education (ARC8)
“Outlook 2030: Inclusive and Diverse Higher Education in Asia and Europe”
December 2020 – December 2021, Online
7th ASEF Rectors’ Conference and Students’ Forum (ARC7)
“Higher Education Taking Action Towards the Sustainable Development Goals: Perspectives from Asia and Europe”
Partners: National University of Public Administration and Political Studies (SNSPA), Ministry of National Education Romania, European University Association (EUA), ASEAN University Network (AUN), International Association of Universities (IAU), European Students’ Union (ESN), Erasmus Student Network (ESN), Erasmus Mundus Alumni Association (EMA), National Rectors’ Conference of Romania (CNR)
11-15 May 2019, Bucharest, Romania
6th ASEF Rectors’ Conference and Students’ Forum (ARC6)
“Future-ready Universities and Graduates: Quality Education Beyond the Horizon”
Partners: Singapore Management University (SMU), European University Association (EUA), The ASEAN University Network, European Students’ Union (ESN) & Erasmus Student Network (ESN)
9-13 October 2017, Singapore
5th ASEM Rectors’ Conference and Students’ Forum (ARC5)
“Employability: Asia and Europe Prepare the New Generation”
Partners: Charles University, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic, The International Association of Universities, The ASEAN University Network
4-8 April 2016, Prague, Czech Republic
4th ASEM Rectors’ Conference and Students’ Forum (ARC4)
“University-Business Partnerships: Asia and Europe Seeking 21st Century Solutions”
Partners: Zhejiang University, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, The International Association of Universities, The ASEAN University Network
23-27 March 2015, Hangzhou, China
3rd ASEM Rectors’ Conference and Students’ Forum (ARC3)
“Universities, Businesses and You: For a Sustainable Future”
Partners: University of Groningen & The ASEAN University Network
24-26 September 2012, Groningen, the Netherlands
2nd ASEM Rectors’ Conference (ARC2)
“Asia-Europe University Cooperation: Contributing to the Global Knowledge Society”
Partners: Korea University & The ASEAN University Network
26 Oct 2010 – 27 Oct 2010, Seoul, Korea
1st ASEM Rectors’ Conference (ARC1)
“Between Tradition and Reform: Universities in Asia and Europe at the Crossroads”
Partners: The ASEAN University Network, Free University of Berlin& German Rectors’ Conference (HRK)
27 Oct 2008 – 29 Oct 2008, Berlin, Germany
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