ASEF Regional Conference on Higher Education (ARC)

BACKGROUND ON THE ARC SERIES

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 MEs. 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 10 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.

KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF ARC?

• Engagement in the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Education Process, including the biennial ASEM Education Ministers’ Meeting (ASEM ME)
• Opportunity to shape the evolving Asia-Europe educational landscape, form policy recommendations to thematically responsive capacity training
• Providing evidence and benchmarking reports to incentivise exchanges, dialogues, and further collaboration among the ASEM Partner Countries
• Network of university and student leaders across 51 Asian and European countries.

HAPPENING NOW

9th ASEF Regional Conference on Higher Education (ARC9) 
“Higher Education Mapping: Working Towards the Sustainable Development Goals”
January 2022 – Present, Online and In-person

PAST EDITIONS

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.

8th ASEF Regional Conference on Higher Education (ARC8)
“Outlook 2030: Inclusive and Diverse Higher Education in Asia and Europe”
Dec 2020 – Dec 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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