Insights | Southeast Asian expert calls for China-ASEAN exchanges to preserve shared cultural bonds

(ECNS) -- The year 2024 marks the ASEAN-China year of people-to-people exchanges. Executive Director of the ASEAN University Network (AUN) Choltis Dhirathiti emphasized the importance of strengthening higher education cooperation and cultural exchanges within Southeast Asia and East Asia in an exclusive interview with China News Network.

He emphasized that Southeast Asia and East Asia share certain cultural heritages, with similar values such as the emphasis on human development in harmony. These commonalities facilitate deeper cooperation between Chinese and Southeast Asian universities in higher education. He also called for more cultural exchanges to strengthen these shared cultural bonds

Dhirathiti pointed out that promoting exchanges between students, faculty, researchers, and university administrators would help deepen mutual understanding within the region, thereby advancing peace and development.

He believes that ASEAN students can contribute to peace in Southeast and East Asia after gaining a deep understanding of the culture of China, Japan, and South Korea.

The AUN will continue to promote cooperation in higher education, strengthen ties between Southeast Asia and East Asia, and contribute to peace and prosperity in the region, he said.

Additionally, he pointed out that the rapid development of generative artificial intelligence technology has brought new challenges to higher education. Universities in ASEAN and East Asia need to respond more proactively to this technological shift and develop more effective policies to ensure that their education systems can adapt to these changes.

He urged universities in the region to seek solutions through international cooperation.

AUN was established in 1995 to promote regional teaching and research and strengthen large-scale cooperation between ASEAN and other regions.

It has gradually become a collaboration platform for Southeast Asia's top universities. Later, the AUN expanded its cooperation with universities in China, Japan, and South Korea, evolving into ASEAN+3 University Network.