Through the Vietnam National University, Vietnam commenced this year’s ASEAN in Today’s World Programme (AsTW) by welcoming 33 students from seven ASEAN Member States and Japan who undertake undergraduate and graduate programmes in various universities in ASEAN and beyond such as Japan and Australia.  The AsTW is a two-week international study programme that aims to promote better understanding of ASEAN and East Asia through courses such as ASEAN studies, Asian languages, and culture taught by ASEAN and Japanese lecturers.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General for Socio-Cultural Community Vongthep Arthakaivalvatee said, “In pursuit of ASEAN ideals to promote greater people-to-people connectivity, the academe plays an important role, particularly in introducing new models of university partnerships and knowledge co-creation such as the AsTW Programme.” He commended the programme and the opportunity it provides to young and budding leaders to increase understanding of the past, present and future of ASEAN through ASEAN studies.

The AsTW programme is part of the ASEAN Work Plan on Education 2016-2020 and contributes to advancement of ASEAN Studies Programme at higher education level. It includes lectures, group discussions, research and study trips.

On its ninth year, the hosting of the programme has rotated among a consortium of five universities which implement the programme including Vietnam National University, Ateneo de Manila University (Philippines), Mahidol University (Thailand), Kyushu University (Japan), and Fukuouka Women’s University (Japan).    For this year’s batch, Kyushu University provided scholarships to 16 (out of the 33) participating students.  Other participating universities provide subsidy for their own students.  For 2018, the University of Malaya (Malaysia) will host the AsTW and the university will become a new member of the AsTW university alliance.

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