Presidents’ Forum of Southeast Asian, South Asian and Taiwan Universities in 2022 (SATU): UEH and more than 100 high-level representatives from universities discussing sustainable development strategies

28 Nov, 2022

From November 21, 2022 to November 25, 2022 the delegation of the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) attended the Presidents’ Forum of Southeast Asian, South Asian and Taiwanese Universities in 2022 in Taiwan with the theme "Sustainable cooperation in facing unpredictable challenges and fluctuations". Here, Prof. Dr. Su Dinh Thanh on behalf of UEH shared about UEH's sustainable university model and received the attention of the community of universities in the region.

Presidents’ Forum of Southeast Asia, South Asia and Taiwan Universities 2022 with the theme "Sustainable cooperation in facing unpredictable challenges and fluctuations"

The Presidents’ Forum of Southeast Asian, South Asian and Taiwan Universities (abbreviated as SATU Rectors Forum) was established in 2003 by President Chiang Kao of National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) and leaders of the universities. Initiated by prestigious universities of Southeast Asian countries. The purpose of the forum is to provide a venue for scholars to share experiences to improve higher education and international cooperation in the region. The forum clearly identifies the role of universities as an important key to enhancing a country's competitiveness.

After the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2022 forum returns with the theme "Sustainable cooperation in facing unpredictable challenges and fluctuations", divided into 3 essential parts taking place on 2 days 23 and 24/11/2022, including: “Open Science and Knowledge Sharing”, “Strategic Cooperation” and “Sustainable Development” to define the vision and challenges of future higher education. In addition to the activities of sharing and exchanging practical lessons from the professors and presidents of leading universities/ research institutes, the forum also includes networking activities, sharing cooperation opportunities (November 22), summarizing typical activities of the Forum since its establishment in 2003, awarding prizes to an international innovation competition for students SMART 4.0 and field trips to experience (November 24).

Senior Representative from Universities in Southeast Asia, South Asia and Taiwan at SATU Forum

New perspectives on sustainable development are shared, exchanged and learned from each other

During more than 2 active working days, more than 100 representatives of higher education institutions from 09 countries in the region shared and exchanged more than 10 topics around sustainability issues, tools and solutions to overcome challenges together.

More than 100 representatives of higher education institutions from 09 countries shared and exchanged more than 10 topics on sustainability.

"The school is not only a place to teach, exchange knowledge, learn from each other, but also have a responsibility to help society and the country in nurturing future leaders" - shared by Prof. Su Huizhen, President of National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), President of SATU President's Forum. According to her, the globalized generation faces future challenges, and only through the active cooperation of a network of international education partners can we bring together the power of all and create new capacities for schools, society, and the world. She said that since 2019, it is an honor and expectation to see international education partners meet again to promote international cooperation opportunities, use each side's strengths and discuss how to face future challenges.

Prof. Su Huizhen, President of National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), President of SATU President's Forum raises questions about this year's theme

Prof. Jerzy Duszyński, President of the Polish Academy of Sciences, gave an in-depth article on the war and the destruction of many research institutes and libraries in Ukraine during the Ukraine-Russia war, thereby giving urgent solutions with the theme "Promoting Global Knowledge Sharing and Supporting Networks to Build a Sustainable Future". By connecting this support network, his Institute has supported a total of 227 Ukrainian scholars who have fled the war in Poland over the past 6 months.

Jerzy Duszyński, President of the Polish Academy of Sciences shares deeply about the war and the destruction of many research institutes and libraries in Ukraine

Prof. Caroline F. Benton, Vice President for Global Affairs at the University of Tsukuba, Japan, then delivered a speech on "Strategic Partnerships for Uncertain Generations" and raised questions about agreements and committed to implementing quality research cooperation, research innovation, and teacher exchange, which will continue to create friendly relationships in the future, supporting the developement of society. "Only through cooperation can we make progress and maximize the global common good. Especially under the influence of the epidemic, everyone is more aware of the importance of communicating with others. Weigh future risks and build on mutual trust. Collaborating on joint research on an international scale is the only solution."

Prof. Caroline F. Benton, Vice President for Global Affairs at the University of Tsukuba, Japan shares about "Strategic Partnership for Uncertain Generations"

Within the framework of the Forum, Prof. Dr. Su Dinh Thanh - UEH President also shared and discussed UEH's sustainable university model, which emphasized 5 elements: Training, Research, Operation, Governance and Community. The sharing received the attention and contributions of many universities in the region.

Prof. Dr. Su Dinh Thanh - President of UEH shared about the sustainable university model at UEH

Also at the Forum, SATU members looked back at the quality activities that the forum members have carried out in the nearly 20-year journey (2003-2022) and discussed action plans for 2023 including outstanding annual activities: Annual SATU Steering Committee Forum (General Assembly + Steering Committee Meeting), SATU Joint Research Program (JRS), Webinar on Research Programs Joint Research Scheme (SATU Joint Research Scheme), Local Chapter Workshop, International Summer School, SMART 4.0 Competition for students (SMART 4.0 Online Pitch Competition).

The SATU Forum has contributed to tightening the cooperation relationship between higher education institutions in Asia, in which Vietnam in general and UEH, in particular, is an important link. UEH's journey to develop a Multidisciplinary and Sustainable University also emphasizes the exploitation and participation in International University Forums in-depth and SATU is an indispensable network, which will be promoted next time.

See more photos of UEH Delegation at SATU Forum:

The UEH delegation includes Prof. Dr. Su Dinh Thanh - President of UEH, MSc. Vo Duc Hoang Vu - Deputy Head of Department of Scientific Management and International Cooperation, MSc. Le Thi Hanh An - Department of Marketing and Communication