11th UAW held in Thailand (4-5 February 2016)

On 4-5 February, Kyoto University cohosted the 11th University Administrators Workshop (UAW) with Hong Kong University of Science and Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, with the latter institution providing the venue.

Inaugurated in 2006, the UAW has annually provided an invaluable opportunity for university staff coordinating international-exchange and study-abroad programs from across Asia to discuss the issues associated with the internationalization of university administration.

The 11th UAW, held under the theme "UAW's First Decade: Looking Back and Moving towards a Brighter Future", attracted over 80 participants from 31 institutions across 11 countries. Kyoto University was represented by Professor Junichi Mori, vice president for international relations, and two staff members.

The opening address by Vice President Kalaya Tingsabadh of Chulalongkorn University was followed by two lectures, one by Director Apron Kanvong of the Commission on Higher Education in Thailand, and the other by Executive Director Nantana Gajaseni of the ASEAN University Network (AUN).

Four sessions, each with presentations and Q&As, took place over the course of two days. They were entitled, respectively, "The Exchange of Students between and within the Regions: North/South and South/South", "Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration: Leading a Horse to Water But How Do You Make Him Drink?", "Promoting and Improving Student and Faculty Services: How to Achieve the Balance?", and "Memoranda of Understanding: Is It Time for a New Approach? (Are They of Any Use?)". The "Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration" session featured a talk by a KU administrator on "The Challenges of Developing Kyoto University's Overseas Offices".

For the first time at UAW, each session included a small-group discussion, offering an opportunity for the participants to share concerns about their respective institutions and explore solutions.

The two-day workshop concluded with Vice Presidents Tingsabadh and Mori announcing plans for the next UAW, which is set to take place during FY2016.

Internationalization efforts constitute a high priority at all of the institutions represented. UAW is expected to remain an important forum over the coming years for university administrators to share updates and exchange ideas, potentially leading to expanded collaboration across Asia.