UNAIR NEWS – This year’s Association of Southeast Asian Institution of Higher Learning (ASAIHL) Conference is held on 10-12 June 2023 at Soka University, Tokyo. The Rector of Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) Prof. Dr. Mohammad Nasih SE MT Ak, also the President of ASAIHL, had the opportunity to open the conference.
Attending delegates were from member countries, including Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, France, Hongkong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Poland, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Timor Leste, Canada, New Zealand, Sweden, Taiwan, England, and The USA.
Higher Education challenges
In the opening remarks of this international conference, Prof. Nasih stated that universities have a crucial role in creating an inclusive and resilient global society.
Universities are also obliged to provide knowledge and play a role in fostering resilience in the academic realm. Prof. Nasih said that the challenges of higher education institutions are diverse. First, universities must ensure they have significant resources to provide inclusive and equitable education to their students. Second, higher education institutions must continue to thrive amid adversity and uncertainty.
“Higher education institutions must confront the shifting tides of a dynamic global society. Universities need to foster a supportive and inclusive environment for all students, “he said.
Third, universities must adapt to the changing demands of the global economy and workforce. “Higher education institutions must ensure that students have the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in a rapidly changing and increasingly complex world,” explained Prof. Nasih.
Offering solution
Furthermore, Prof. Nasih explained that the solution that can be done to face the existing challenges is collaboration. “Universities must not work in isolation. Collaboration and cooperation between institutions are indispensable for the collective growth and development of our academic landscape,” he explained.
The established collaborations are expected to create a creative ecosystem where ideas and innovation will always flourish. ASAIHL, as a consortium, has an important role in this matter. Prof. Nasih made a visit to Japan to strengthen the ASAIHL network while also exploring potential collaborations.
Collaboration mechanisms built by ASAIHL include networking, student or staff exchange programs, and joint research. ASAIHL also serves as a bridge for its institutional members in working with governments, international organizations and stakeholders.
“Through our joint efforts in ASAIHL, we will achieve significant milestones in various fields of research, education, and community development which have contributed to the advancement of knowledge and the betterment of society,” he concluded. (*)
Author: Icha Nur Imami Puspita
Editor: Binti Q. Masruroh
