University chiefs discuss competitiveness

Leaders of some 115 universities gathered at a forum yesterday to discuss ways to enhance the competitiveness of higher education.

The International University Presidents` Forum was held at Ewha Womans University in Seoul to share strategies for university development and improvement of educational quality.

The one-day meeting was organized by the Korean Council for University Education.

"In order to survive the growingly fierce competition among countries, universities should be the heartland for producing talented individuals with multicultural global competences and creative abilities," said Lee Bae-yong, KCUE chairwoman and Ewha president, during her opening address.

Among participants are Paul Webley, principal of the School of Oriental and African Studies at University of London, Horst Hippler, rector of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany, and Lap-Chee Tsui, president of the University of Hong Kong, and Ana Ripoll, rector of the Autonomous University of Barcelona.

During his presentation, Paul Webley discussed the growing trend toward globalization in education such as international exchange programs and research collaboration.

Ana Ripoll introduced successful cases of a student exchange program, called the "Erasmus Program." Ripoll said since its inception in 1987, the program of "integrated academic cooperation" has enabled over 2 million European students to undertake part of their studies in a foreign university and helped modernize and internationalize European universities.

(sshluck@heraldm.com)



By Song Sang-ho