- The theme of the seminar was "Enhancing Digital Transformation Capacity in Higher Education in Developing Countries" with a focus on discussing solutions to bridge the higher education gap within developing countries through digital transformation.
(Photo 1) Participants of the 2023 UNESCO UNITWIN Administrative Universities Joint Seminar
Handong Global University (President Dosoung Choi) hosted the 2023 UNESCO UNITWIN Administrative Universities Joint Seminar on the topic of "Enhancing Digital Transformation Capacity in Higher Education in Developing Countries" in collaboration with Sookmyung Women's University, Korea National Open University, and Korea National University of Education. The seminar took place on Friday, the 12th of the last month, at the Garden Hotel in Seoul.
The event was co-hosted by the offices of Congressman Ki-Hong Yoo (Democratic Party) and Congressman Byung-Wook Kim (People Power Party), and organized by domestic UNITWIN administrative universities (Handong Global University, Sookmyung Women's University, Korea National Open University, and Korea National University of Education). The seminar aimed to discuss solutions to bridge the higher education gap within developing countries caused by digital transformation and promote exchange and collaboration among higher education institutions in developing countries for enhancing their capacity for sustainable development. The main participants included Congressman Ki Hong Yu, President Dosoung Choi of Handong Global University, President Yunkeum Chang of Sookmyung Women's University, President Sung Hwan Ko of Korea National Open University, President Jong Woo Kim of Korea National University of Education, and representatives from UNITWIN administrative universities, with a total of about 30 people attending the event in person. Additionally, several representatives from collaborating universities in developing countries, such as Agus Hartadi, Dean of Jakarta International University in Indonesia, Ngadisih Ngadisih, Professor at Gadjah Mada University in Indonesia, Bed Prasad Dhakal, Professor at Tribhuvan University in Nepal, Jiradawan Huntula, Professor at Kohn Kaen University in Thailand, and Maitree Inprasitha, Professor at Mahidol University in Thailand, participated online.
In his opening speech, President Dosoung Choi of Handong Global University emphasized the need to discuss and seek solutions to various challenges arising within developing countries, including the education gap and the preparations and ideas required for digital transformation. He stated that Handong Global University will continue to plan effective and innovative higher education programs for digital transformation in the field of higher education.
Congressman Ki Hong Yoo of the Democratic Party highlighted the importance of developing future talents through the role of higher education in developing countries. He sincerely expressed his hope that UNITWIN administrative universities would form deeper solidarity with collaborating universities around the world and expected more active engagement from the four UNITWIN administrative universities.
Furthermore, Congressman Byung Wook Kim of the People Power Party stated the need for the establishment of a digital education system and the creation of an environment for sharing experiences and knowledge through international exchange and collaboration. He expressed his hope that this seminar would be helpful in formulating strategies and plans to strengthen infrastructure and technological capabilities utilizing digital technology.
During the seminar, Professor Sungbae Jo of Handong Global University, Professor Jeong In Cho of Sookmyung Women's University, Professor Kyung Woo Son of Korea National Open University, and Professor Young Hoon Kim of Korea National University of Education presented case studies on collaboration with universities from developing countries in line with digital transformation. In addition, professors from collaborating universities shared vivid stories from the field in developing countries. The subsequent discussion (moderated by Professor Beom Ha Jee) involved discussions on the effectiveness of strengthening capacity in higher education through digital transformation and considerations for efficient digital transformation in the field of higher education, as well as sharing examples of bridging the education gap through digital transformation.
UNITWIN (UNIversity TWInning and Networking) is a program created by UNESCO in 1992 to help universities in developing countries reduce knowledge gaps and develop their independence through networks with universities in developed countries. In Korea, Handong Global University was designated as the first UNITWIN-administrative university in 2007.
