On November 12th at 2PM, Handong Global University (President Soon-Heung Chang) hosted the seminar under the theme ‘Innovation for Higher Educational in the Post COVID-19 Era: UNESCO UNITWIN Partnership’ jointly with Sookmyung Women’s University(President Yunkeum Chang), Korea National Open University (President Su Noh Ryu) and Korean National University of Education (President Jong-woo Kim). The event even was held at Grand Station of Kengsington Hotel Yoido.
.png)
(Photo1) Group photo of UNESCO UNITWIN universities co-hosting the 2020 joint seminar
This seminar is designed to diagnose the current situation and risk of the higher educational institutions of the developing countries are facing amid global pandemic COVID-19. During the seminar, it also addressed how Korean higher educational institutions can take part in sustainable development of the developing countries’ education.
The seminar was co-hosted by UNESCO UNITWIN universities HGU, Sookmyeong, KNOU and KNUE in partnership with the office of congressman Yoo Ki Hong (Democratic Party of Korea) and the office of congressman Kim Byung Wook (People Power Party).
Due to COVID-19, the seminar streamed online via HGU UNESCO UNITWIN YouTube channel. About 30 people attended offline, including President of HGU Soon-Heung Chang, President of Sookmyung Younkeum Chang, chairman of education committee Yoo Ki Hong and congressman of education committee Kim Byung Wook. And about 10 other associates attended online, including Mekuria Haile, the former Prime minister of Urban Affairs in Ethiopia, Wesley Titre, senior researcher at UNESCO Bangkok office and other developing countries officials from government and educational institutions.
(Photo2) Online discussion during the joint seminar co-hosted by UNESCO UNITWIN universities
Marking the opening of the event President Chang said, “In the post COVID-19 era, non-contact education and use of AI will play the key factors in deciding educational success,” and added, “We’ll continue our efforts in promoting higher educational programs, preparing students in the post COVID-19 era with personalized learning and self-learning abilities through AI.
During the opening remark, President of Sookmyung Yunkeum Chang remarked, “We’re seeing growing need of women leadership in the ICT field and its growing importance to adjust to the New Normal,” and also said, “Sookmyung will do our best cooperating with the universities worldwide as an educational platform for leadership and AI education.”
The chairman of education committee Yoo Ki Hong (Democratic Party of Korea) said, “Due to COVID-19, dramatic changes are taking place in various sectors of society and education is one of them affected heavily, “and added, “I’m looking forward that UNESCO UNITWIN universities will be the leading roles in adjusting to the education digitalization, using non-contact education and AI.
The congressman of education committee Kim Byung Wook also commented, “COVID-19 is requiring us a paradigm shift in educational development, pushing us to adjust to the future, ” and said, “I hope this seminar will initiate constructive discussion that gives a new direction among us as we share where we are now and how we can innovate the higher education in preparation for the future.”
Mekuria Haile former Prime Minister of Urban Affairs in Ethiopia gave a presentation on “Reestablishment of African Higher Education in the Post COVID-19 era,” featuring the importance of roles of university and government, and global cooperation after the COVID-19.
Wesley Titre, senior researcher at UNESCO Bangkok office addressed the role of international organization and strategy for sustainable development of higher education. Meanwhile, Miguel Roberto, senior specialist of ASEAN secretariat department addressed the current situation of the ASEAN universities, calling for multinational cooperation among the higher educational institutions in ASEAN countries.
Followed by the presentations given by the 4 hosting UNITWIN universities, 10 other associates, who were from the government and educational institutions in developing countries—Indonesia, Nepal, Peru and others—had online discussion on sustainable development of higher education in the post COVID-19 era.
*Please refer to the attached to find the list of attendees of this seminar.
