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[UNITWIN] Handong Global University Holds International Forum 2022 on UNESCO UNITWIN Higher Education 2022-08-22

- Invited the deans and professors of Uzbekistan, Indonesia, Peru, Kenya, and Rwanda universities to hold the forum in Seoul, Incheon, Pohang, and Ulsan for one week (Aug. 7-14)
- Share of the current status of cooperation and UNITWIN programs in each country
- Discussion on the direction of expanding and development of future UNITWIN programs

 

The UNESCO UNITWIN Project Team of Handong Global University (President Do-Soung Choi) held the ‘International Forum 2022 on UNESCO UNITWIN Higher Education’ from August 7 to 14. Dean, principal, and professors from universities in Rwanda, Kenya, Peru, Indonesia, and Uzbekistan, who have worked closely together for the past several years, were invited. The international forum was held to re-connect, discuss innovative measures in higher education in developing countries after COVID-19, and to promote future programs that could not be held during the pandemic.


Invited respectful guests are Dean Zohid Askarov and Prof. Mamurjon M. Rahimov from Westminster International University in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Principal David Kabuye and Head of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Department, Mr. Venuste Bahizi from Rwanda Polytechnic, Integrated Polytechnic Regional Centre Gishari in Rwanda, Dr. Judith Pete from Tangaza University College in Kenya, Prof. Dimaz Ramananda from Jakarta International University in Indonesia, and Dr. Ana Elizabeth Gomez Burns from Universidad Catolica San Pablo in Peru. To grasp Korean industry, venture companies, and Korean society, they visited Incheon Free Economic Zone, Hyundai Motor Ulsan Factory, CHANGeUP GROUND Pohang, Seoul Metropolitan Government, and other remarkable sites.


At the luncheon held at Kim Young-Gil GRACE School on August 11, the President of HGU, Do-Soung Choi explained the direction of quality higher education in the era of hyper-connectivity, hyper-speed, and hyper-uncertainty”. He said “Handong Global University, designated as a UNESCO UNITWIN host university, will fulfill its mission of “learn to give others” by actively participating in the development of ODA in Korean education and strengthening the capacity for sustainable development of higher education institutions in developing countries”.

 

(Picture 1) Group photo with Do-Soung Choi, President of HGU


Two seminars under the themes of ‘Innovation in Higher Education after COVID-19’ and ‘Measures to Strengthen Higher Education for Minorities’ were held. Prof. James David and Prof. Edward Purnell from Handong International Law School, along with Prof. Beom Ha Jee and Prof. Jinwon Ahn from School of Management and Economics joined the seminar to share innovative measures taken in higher education during pandemic and indicators of current higher education in developing countries. Invited guests had in-depth discussion on the role of higher education for the underprivileged people in their countries.

 

(Picture 2) Group photo at the ‘Innovation in Higher Education after COVID-19’ seminar


The invited guests attended a series lectures on digital transformation and smart city by HGU and Seoul National University professors (Prof. Jinwon Ahn from School of Management and Economics of HGU, Research Prof. Hyun Jung Kim from Seoul National University, Prof. Sang Wha Lee from School of Global Entrepreneurship and ICT of HGU, and Prof. Jung Hyun Kim from School of Applied Artificial Intelligence of HGU). Through the lectures, they learned the trend and of digital transformation in Korean economy and corporations in order to adapt to the uncertainties that persist after the pandemic and the rapidly changing competitive environment.

 

(Picture 3) Group photo after lectures on digital transformation and smart city


CSP David Kabuye from Rwanda Polytechnic said, “This forum broadened my perspective as seeing technology, society and culture of an advanced country, Korea. I also had a chance to connect with academics in northern and southern hemispheres that is such a rare and precious opportunity. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Handong Global University and the Korean Ministry of Education for this opportunity”.


In spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, Handong has been implementing “untact” (a newly coined word in Korea, meaning non face-to-face activities) programs to support developing countries and their increasing capability via webinars, and online education. Moreover, Handong will reinforce the easier accessibility to higher education institutions for developing countries with accelerated digitalization and reinforced online infrastructure to close the gap of knowledge.


* UNITWIN (University Twinning and Networking) was established by UNESCO in 1992 with the aim of helping universities in developed countries support education and research institutes in developing countries through forming networks with universities in developing countries and thereby reducing knowledge gaps and nurturing self-reliance of developing countries. In South Korea, Handong Global University was designated as the first UNITWIN host university in 2007.


* As part of the Ministry of Education's ODA program, Handong Global University has signed agreements with universities in developing countries, centering on the government's key partners, among the low-income countries classified by the World Bank, to strengthen each university’s capacity, and has established a regional base center in developing countries.