ASEM Education Process: the role of Asia – Europe Foundation (ASEF)

As a response to the loosening tie between Europe and Asia at the end of 20th century, in 1996, leaders from 25 countries across two continents together with the European Commission met in Bangkok, marked the first Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM). Over 21 years, with an extensive enlargement to 53 members (by 2017), ASEM is an informal dialogue between participating states to strengthen cross-regional cooperation and development in three core areas: Political, Economic, and Social, Cultural & Educational Pillars. Within ASEM partnership, ASEM Education Process has always been regarded as a crucial piece of the successful intercontinental collaboration puzzle. Multiple meetings at ministerial and professional levels have been held; student and staff mobility has been largely encouraged; Rectors’ Conference and Student Forum, Summer University, joint study programmes, education workshops, and forums have been strongly facilitated, to name a few. Contributing to the implementation of ASEM collaboration is the active engagement of the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF). As the only permanent institution of ASEM, ASEF promotes intellectual, cultural and people-to-people exchanges in six essential fields, education included. This academic work will examine the participation of ASEM and ASEM Education Process in the growing and nourishing bond between Europe and Asia, therefore establish a ground to evaluate ASEF’s involvement in the process