Feature

AIUB hosts Association of Universities of Asia and the Pacific in Dhaka

Dr. Charles C. Villanueva

THE American International University-Bangladesh was privileged to host the prestigious 25th Board Meeting and 8th General Conference of Association of Universities of Asia and the Pacific, popularly known as AUAP. It was a two-day affair held last 7-8 November 2008 at Westin Hotel, Dhaka, Bangladesh. There were 21 foreign delegates coming all the way from Iran, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines, and about 30 participants coming from the host country Bangladesh composed of Vice Chancellors, Pro-Vice Chancellors, Deans, Directors of Private and Public Universities, and government officials from University Grants Commission (UGC), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Commerce. The theme of the conference, “Government-University-Industry Partnerships for Innovation envisaged to provide a forum for knowledge exchange and sharing of valuable experiences that will serve as inputs to a concrete action in strengthening the GUI partnership.

On the first day of the AUAP Conference was a Board Meeting where the present leadership spearheaded by Prof. Iu Vai Pan and the Secretary General, Prof. Dr. Ruben Umaly reported to the august members the highlights of the major accomplishments of the term ended and the proposals to undertake laudable projects to be approved by the next Officers of the Board of which the Vice Chancellor of AIUB is privileged to be the President for a term of 2 years.

The following day, the Conference proper was inaugurated with the Advisor to the Caretaker Government, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury as the Chief Guest. In his speech, he underscored three important aspects in order for the three sectors, government, university and industry to be effective partners in pursuing innovative and development-oriented activities, these are as follows: understanding of knowledge management; re-engineering of current practices of knowledge management; the joint efforts of the stakeholders to create synergy. During the inauguration also were the two special guests, Prof. Nazrul Islam, Chairman of UGC and Prof. Iu Vai Pan, the outgoing President of AUAP and the Rector of the University of Macau. Prof. Islam emphasized on the importance of collaboration among the three sectors for the sake of the development and growth of the country while the Prof. Iu called upon the members of AUAP to join hands in pursuing the programs of the association and be active members so that AUAP can serve its purpose and a catalyst of change and new developments in the region. Dr. Ruben Umaly, the Secretary General of AUAP and Dr. Carmen Z. Lamagna both warmly welcome the participants on behalf of the association and AIUB for being the co-host of the conference. They also delivered some tactical insights on how the partnership of the government, university and industry can be enhanced. The AUAP can closely support any individual efforts to improve the academic programs of the members of the association in various areas of institutional developments. Another highlight of the conference was the three succeeding sessions where each session focuses on a specific theme. Session 1 on University had a theme: Exploring New Horizons for Globally Competitive Professionals. The session was chaired by Prof. Dr. Anwar Hossain, Pro Vice Chancellor of AIUB. There were three distinguished speakers who shared their insights on the role of the university to promote the partnership and at the same time adopt strategies in order to produce globally competitive professionals: Prof. B.M. Chowdhury, VC of Independent University, Bangladesh; Prof. G.M. Chowdhury, President, University and Industry Alliance University of Dhaka and Dr. Jassbi, President, Islamic Azzad University, Tehran, Iran.

The second session was on Industry with a theme, “Corporate Contribution to the Academia, A CSR Initiative” was chaired by Mr. R.T. Moudud, Director OPAA, AIUB. The three distinguished speakers were composed of Mr. Niaz Rahim, Director of Rahimafrooz Bangladesh Limited who presented the corporate culture and products of the company; Dr. Payunsak Jantrasurin, Vice President of Siam University, Thailand who presented the curricular programs, physical infrastructure of the university including the international linkages; and Prof. Dong Ming Chui, Executive Director, Institute of Computer and Systems Engineering of Macau. He reported on the various interesting projects and innovations of the Institute in the field of ICT. The third session was on Government with a theme, “Creating Conducive Environment for Strengthening Partnerships among GUI” with Mr. Azad Ruhul Amin as the Chair. There were also three speakers composed of Md. Ghulam Hussain, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh who discussed major interventions of the government especially in promoting business and industry both in the national and international arena. At the end of every session, a question and answer portion is allotted to raise some clarifications or explanation on a specific topic by the speaker. It was also an opportunity for the participants to share some of their experiences or inputs to the topics that have been discussed. The speakers yielded to some questions and ably responded to these questions. In recognition of the speakers' valuable contribution to the success of the sessions, the University Crest of AIUB was presented to each of the speakers

The three sessions were indeed very fruitful and informative. This was immediately proceeded by a brief closing program. The honorable Founder and Chairman of AIUB. Dr. Anwarul Abedin delivered an inspiring message calling upon the authorities of the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh to allow the university to offer medical and health related courses. He also narrated how he as founder strive to establish AIUB from a small number of students in 1996 to become one of the top universities in the country. He further said that the 13 years of AIUB's leadership in excellence will continue to provide opportunities for students to acquire world class university education. In the end, he expressed his sincerest thanks to all the participants for their support to the AUAP and to all those who made the conference truly a success.

The evening was capped with the oath taking ceremony for the newly elected President of the AUAP, 2008-2010, in the person of the honorable Vice Chancellor of AIUB, Dr. Carmen Z. Lamagna. The officiating officer was the Philippine Ambassador to Bangladesh, Her Excellency Ms. Zenaida Tacorda-Rabago. After the oath taking ceremony, the outgoing President of the AUAP Board delivered a brief message expressing his profound thanks, among others, to the support that the members of the board have extended during his term of office. He also outlined some of the important activities the association undertook under his leadership. He also reported to the assembly the financial status of the association as sound and gradually increasing. Additional members registered and implemented projects to boost the association in helping upgrade the quality of university education in the Asia-Pacific region.

The newly elected President Dr. Lamagna likewise delivered an inspiring and challenging message. He called upon the members of the association to invite more members to make the influence and impact of the association far more reaching. She also mentioned the establishment of the AUAP Center for Lifelong Professional Education to based in Siam University, Bangkok. The Center will offer short term-courses to cater to the top and middle level executives and managers of the universities. Sub-centers will be established to efficiently and effectively deliver the programs where it is needed most. International and national linkages with the governments, universities and industries in the region will be strengthened for greater impact and sustenance of the new and existing programs of the AUAP. The association will continue to explore new horizons and opportunities so that the members can fully benefit from these with the active support of the new members of the board and the association.

(The writer, who was the Master of Ceremonies, is the Dean of Faculty of Business and Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences, AIUB.)