The ASEAN-Korea Centre will hold the 1st ASEAN-Korea Academic Essay Contest with the Korean Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, organizers said Wednesday.

The center, incepted in 2009, aims to promote exchanges among the students on issues related to the region.

The contest is open to undergraduate and graduate students in ASEAN and Korean schools.

Applicants can choose one of the three themes. They include: ASEAN in the past 50 years, and ASEAN-Korea relations in the next 50 years; where the ASEAN community is heading towards, challenges and prospects; and ASEAN-Korea socio-cultural partnership towards a reciprocal understanding.
A qualified panel of judges chosen by the organizers will select the six best essays that will be awarded at the ASEAN-Korea Youth Forum to be held in December 2016, as well as being printed in a booklet published by the center.

Also, winners will be offered an opportunity for a five-day study trip either to Indonesia or to Korea, based on their nationalities. Indonesia houses the ASEAN Secretariat, Mission of the Republic of Korea to ASEAN, and other research institutions. Those visiting Korea will get to experience the ASEAN-Korea Centre, universities here and other research institutions.

“2017 is the 50th anniversary of ASEAN and the ASEAN-Korea Cultural Exchange Year designated by the leaders,” said center’s Secretary-General Kim Young-sun.

“Ahead of the milestone year for the ASEAN-Korea relations, this essay contest can provide a meaningful opportunity for the ASEAN and Korean youth to learn about the ASEAN community as well as ASEAN-Korea relations, which would contribute towards bridging the two regions as future leaders.”

The event is supported by the ASEAN University Network, a key organization for exchanges among the universities in ASEAN, as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea.

Submissions must be sent electronically to essay@aseankorea.org by Oct. 14.

(khnews@heraldcorp.com)