Since the onset of the Asian Universities Alliance in April 2017, AUA members have emphasized the importance of increased mobility and enhanced exchanges between member universities. In 2018, in line with programs related to scholar and student mobility, AUA established the “AUA Staff Exchange Program” (AUASEP), exclusively for the staff of AUA member universities.
The AUASEP aims to enhance communication between staff of AUA member universities, through aweek-long immersion program in an overseas AUA member institution or the AUA Secretariat. Through these immersion programs, AUA can promote the exchange of best practices among members, heighten knowledge of the Alliance, and increase mutual understanding and smoother coordination with one another. Moreover, AUA keenly advocates for meaningful and frequent exchanges between staff members to further boost cooperation within AUA.
In a short span of time, the AUASEP has been received with great enthusiasm. Ten AUA staff members from different institutions have already completed exchanges, gaining enriched experiences and renewed energy. These staff members have returned with fresh ideas and new knowledge, and a deeper understanding of the AUA.
Ms. Nada Seifelnasr from the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) was left with a deep impression after her exchange at the AUA Secretariat.“The staff exchange program was very helpful as it gave me more insight about how the AUA Secretariat works”. She also felt that this experience“strengthened our relationship, as by the end of the period, I felt that I was one of the team”. The experience at the AUA Secretariat provided Ms. Seifelnasr with a deeper understanding of how the Secretariat works, and she also provided relevant suggestions to the Secretariat on the direction of future AUA programs.
Similarly, Ms. Judy Choong of University of Malaya and Mr. Miras Sharipov from Nazarbayev University, were hosted concurrently by the AUA Secretariat. Ms. Choong emphasized that AUASEP was“an excellent opportunity to increase and expand my understanding of AUA in general, in addition to fostering ties and deepening my working relationship with the AUA Secretariat”. Mr. Sharipov echoed that “hosting several representatives from different members simultaneously is an advantage, as they can interact and make bridges as well”.
Mr. Miras Sharipov from NU and Ms. Judy Choong from UM (far right) visiting the AUA Secretariat
For Ms. Xin Song of Peking University, her experience at The University of Tokyo enabled her to learn about liberal arts education, professional teaching, international cooperation, and faculty development, which are of great importance to her host university. With the help of her hosts, Ms. Song was able to join several relevant and beneficial meetings, due to UTokyo’s courteous assistance.
Ms. Xin Song from PKU visiting UTokyo
Ms. Zhang Kunzhu, Deputy Director of the Reader Service Department of Tsinghua University Library, visited Seoul National University and expressed the importance of AUASEP in enhancing AUA programs.“The exchange and communication with SNUL colleagues will definitely contribute to the later AUA document delivery program and other cooperation”. During her visit to SNU, she learned about the organization of SNU’s main libraries, and closely examined other interlibrary loan services as a reference point for the AUA interlibrary document delivery program.
The host universities’ staff share similar sentiments, as they also have the opportunity to learn from the presence and knowledge of exchange staff members. Ms. Nakano of UTokyo recalls Ms. Song’s visit, referring to the presentations she delivered on Chinese Higher Education trends and reform to the UTokyo staff. “These exchanges gave the opportunity to learn each other’s educational trends as well as differences between UTokyo and Peking University”,Ms. Nakano said.
AUASEP has strengthened the bond between staff of AUA member universities and created lasting friendships along the way. As the AUA moves forward with fresh ideas and new programs to promote increased mobility and greater understanding between AUA member universities, AUASEP can certainly serve as a noteworthy platform to expedite this journey.
