BANGKOK, THAILAND, 4 September 2018 – The Regional Council of the Asia-Pacific University-Community Engagement Network (APUCEN) is committed in moving towards creating Good Citizenry, with the focus no longer given only on academic achievements, but in striking a balance between character and knowledge.  The focus will be on ensuring that values, integrity and ethics would be instilled among the younger generations.

This statement was made by the President of APUCEN, who is also the Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Professor Datuk Dr. Asma Ismail, at the 12^th Regional APUCEN Council Meeting at Thammasat University, which was attended by 11 out of its 14 Council Members.

She said that universities are now facing new challenges in moving towards Industrial Revolution 4.0 (4IR), an era where humans now have to compete against automation. 

“Universities need to look seriously into instilling a sense of trust and trustworthiness among the younger generations.  These values cannot be taught in a classroom setting but need to be taught in relation to the senses and emotions, through “feel” and “experience”, where service learning and experiential learning need to be incorporated into the education system.

“The partnership between members from different countries will shed new light in solving today’s challenges through innovative directions.  APUCEN believes strongly in ‘celebrating our differences towards the same goal,’ she added.

Asma, who chaired the meeting said, APUCEN will work closely with all member institutions, NGOs and corporate members, and it is all about “us” being together in moving the Community Engagement Agenda.

She added, “It is now all about creating good citizenry with good attitudes to give back to the communities and urging all members to come together to solve global issues, where different universities with different strengths would now come together as one entity. Through the combined efforts from different institutions and countries, APUCEN is moving towards local solutions for global problems.

Another important matter raised was the support by APUCEN for the Service Learning direction to establish the APUCEN Student Chapter to be more inclusive and holistic in community engagement exercises, while encouraging community learning and service learning.  All member institutions have agreed to support the setting up of the APUCEN Student Chapter at their institutions.

The meeting was attended by representatives from Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kyoto University of Foreign Studies, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Thammasat University, Chiangmai University, Universitas Andalas, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, San Pedro College, Kolej Universiti Perguruan Ugama Seri Begawan and National University of Sciences and Technology.

“APUCEN has been moving actively and had conducted Community Engagement (CE) projects both nationally and internationally with its members, among which are projects in Nepal, the Philippines and Cambodia.” said Asma, who then expressed her sincere thanks and congratulations to all the institutions and members involved in all these projects, either by leading or as partners in the projects.  

She remarked, “This is the spirit of APUCEN in moving forward together through partnerships.”

APUCEN, launched 7 years ago in 2011, has now grown with 94 members from 19 countries, expanding beyond the Asia-Pacific region.  APUCEN is encouraging those in the corporate sector to become members, aiming to work together in implementing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

Asma, on behalf of APUCEN, then expressed her sincerest thanks to Thammasat University for hosting the meeting and in demonstrating its CE project at Nang-Leong Community.

Among the delegates present was the APUCEN Executive Director who is also the Director of USM Centre For Marine & Coastal Studies (CEMACS), Professor Dato’ Dr. Aileen Tan Shau Hwai.

Asma is also scheduled to deliver a keynote speech entitled “Community Engagement for a Better Future” at the 2^nd International Conference on Service Learning and Education, to be held on 4-6 September 2018 at Thammasat University, Tha Prachan Campus in Thailand.

Original text and photos: Prof. Dato’ Dr. Aileen Tan Shau Hwai/Editing: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin & Tan Ewe Hoe