The 4th Passage to ASEAN (P2A) partner meeting took place at Duy Tan University (DTU) in Da Nang on May 14th with the participation of leaders of many ASEAN educational institutes. Municipal People's Committee Vice Chairman Phung Tan Viet also attended and delivered a speech.
Municipal People's Committee Vice Chairman Phung Tan Viet speaks at the event
The Association of Universities and Colleges of ASEAN (P2A) was officially established in 2012 by five universities: Rangsit University of Thailand, Duy Tan University of Vietnam, Norton University of Cambodia, the National University of Laos, and the Myanmar Computer Institute. P2A has now expanded, with around 50 ASEAN universities and colleges participating. The Association of ASEAN Universities and Colleges of ASEAN was founded to connect all the universities in Southeast Asia and link students in the region to exchange their knowledge and experiences and understand more about ASEAN. P2A’s mission is for us all to work together to prepare students to contribute towards a more united, prosperous ASEAN Community. By joining P2A, ASEAN students will enjoy the benefits of an excellent, affordable educational experience. Students will be provided with skills in areas such as environmental protection, the preservation of cultural heritage and recognizing the independence, sovereignty, equality and national identities of their partners. They will respect the languages and religions of ASEAN and appreciate their common values in the spirit of unity in diversity.
Distinguished Teacher Le Cong Co, DTU President and Provost, said that as the world is becoming more global, P2A will encourage closer collaboration between ASEAN universities and colleges. We will work together to learn about our different cultures, by training and researching together to create a more peaceful, stable and long-term community relationship in the region, contributing to the establishment of AEC in late December 2015.
Mr. Jeroen G. Schedler, Rangsit University, Thailand speaks at the event
Mr. Jeroen G. Schedler- Executive Director - P2A Secretariat emphasized that the ASEAN Economic Community will be founded in 231 days which will influence the economy of all ASEAN countries. As for higher education, it is the labor workforce that we take the most care. Once we have a better understanding of the different cultures and peoples, we are able to live and work harmoniously in one community. Furthermore, the founding of P2A will build a foundation for the transfer of labor workforce between ASEAN countries. This can bring more opportunities for students and challenges as well because if they are not prepared and qualified enough, in term of foreign languages and general understanding about the region, they won’t be able to meet the requirement of international employers.
According to Ms. Le Nguyen Tue Hang, DTU Vice-Provost, to help students increase their understanding of ASEAN countries, P2A focused on the three key activities, including the Virtual ASEAN Tour, to allow each student to discover the amazing, beautiful, exciting and unique characteristics of ASEAN), the ASEAN Game, a fun online quiz that shows students the things they know and the things they don’t know about in ASEAN, and the ASEAN study tour at a very low expense for students to visit any ASEAN country.
More job opportunities for graduates of the Association of Universities and Colleges of ASEAN
Municipal People's Committee Vice Chairman Phung Tan Viet highlighted the establishment of the P2A as well as its vital role in boosting mutual understanding amongst its members, and establishing the ASEAN community. Danang is a dynamic city of Central Highlands region and a gateway connecting with the entire Asia-Pacific region. In this important position, Danang has invested heavily in technical and service infrastructure, education and training. The city has taken good note of the contributions of many universities in the region. The establishment of P2A opens opportunities for universities to provide our region with a high-quality workforce and creates new ways of exchanging cultures to the future development of the ASEAN community.
(Media Center)