Establishment of the Alliance of Asian Liberal Arts Universities

The Launch Conference for the establishment of the Alliance of Asian Liberal Arts Universities

To mark the 50th Anniversary of the re-establishment of Lingnan University in Hong Kong, Lingnan took a leading role in establishing the Alliance of Asian Liberal Arts Universities (AALAU), a network of Asia’s most respected liberal arts universities. The main objective of the AALAU is to enable major liberal arts universities in Asia that have similar features and missions to collectively enhance their quality of teaching, learning and research through shared benchmarking and best practices. The AALAU also strives to raise the images and profiles of member universities by increasing their international presence, thus promoting liberal arts education and its benefits and importance in Asia.

Member universities have flourished since the Launch Conference in November 2017. The current membership list is as follows.

 Hong Kong

  • Lingnan University

 Mainland China

  • Duke Kunshan University
  • East China Normal University
  • NYU Shanghai (observer)
  • The University of Nottingham Ningbo China
  • Yuanpei College, Peking University

 Taiwan

  • Fu Jen Catholic University
  • National Chengchi University
  • Tunghai University

 Japan

  • International Christian University
  • Rikkyo University
  • Sophia University
  • The College of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo
  • Waseda University

 South Korea

  • Dongguk University
  • Ewha Womans University
  • Kyung Hee University
  • Seoul National University
  • University of Seoul
  • Yeungnam University
  • Yonsei University

India

  • Symbiosis School for Liberal Arts

 

With sponsorship from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and the Lingnan Foundation, member universities have organised a series of professional activities to advance liberal arts education. At the Launch Conference, held in Hong Kong on 20 – 21 November 2017, distinguished educators from liberal arts institutions around the world successfully consolidated their beliefs in the liberal arts tradition and exchanged their personal experiences and expertise in liberal arts education. With the theme of “Liberal Arts Education in an Asian Context: Achievements, Challenges and Perspectives”, the Launch Conference brought participants together to appraise liberal arts education from an Asian perspective. The topic of how to promote liberal arts education in Asia was a key focus of the discussions among the representatives from QS Quacquarelli Symonds and educators and graduates of liberal arts institutions. During the Jockey Club Presidents’ Roundtable sessions, the presenters inspired the participants with not only their broad perspectives on how liberal arts education in the East and West is the best preparation for future leaders and how to transform liberal arts education in the 21st century, but also their pragmatic approaches to issues such as global engagement, pedagogy, technology and innovation in liberal arts education. In short, the Launch Conference marked a remarkable start to our concerted effort to explore challenges in liberal arts education in Asia and to identify opportunities for future development and collaboration.

Officiating guests at the Opening Ceremony of the Launch Conference Officiating guests at the Opening Ceremony of the Launch Conference (from left to right): Mr Chung Po Yang, Chairman, Po & Helen Chung Foundation; Professor Leonard K Cheng, President, Lingnan University; Mr Carlson Tong Ka Shing, Chairman, University Grants Committee; Mr Cheung Leong, Executive Director, Charities and Community, The Hong Kong Jockey Club; The Hon. Bernard Charnwut Chan, Convenor, Executive Council of HKSAR; Mr Rex Auyeung Pak Kuen, Council Chairman, Lingnan University; and Dr Chui L. Tsang, Chair, Lingnan Foundation.

Group photo taken at the Launch ConferenceGroup photo taken at the Launch Conference

Group photo taken during the visit to Lingnan after the Launch Conference Group photo taken during the visit to Lingnan after the Launch Conference

 

Building on the foundation of the AALAU, some development funds have been set aside for organising on-going activities for all member universities. Some of the major activities are listed below.

  • Annual Presidents’ Forum

This annual event will offer an opportunity for the Presidents/Vice-Presidents of the member universities to meet with their peers to discuss matters of importance to the AALAU and to shape the upcoming year’s agenda. It will also provide a platform for member institutions to identify the major issues and challenges in applying international best practices in higher education, to search for innovative approaches to liberal arts education given the current and future landscape in higher education in Asia and to jointly address the new challenges and opportunities in liberal arts education.

  • International Summer School

Lingnan will host the Lingnan University Jockey Club Liberal Arts Summer Institute 2018. Distinguished professors from Ewha Womans University, Kyung Hee University, Seoul National University and University of Seoul will share their professional knowledge and expertise in different and innovative teaching methods. Financial support will give students from member universities the opportunity to come together to study and share ideas. Through close interaction with elite students from other member universities, students will be able to cultivate a sense of global citizenship and leadership.

  • Research Collaboration Group

Interested member universities will establish a pilot research collaboration group based on shared research interests to explore the possibility of conducting joint research projects. The group is expected to share knowledge of internationally available funding streams and to provide funding advice to the alliance researchers.

The AALAU builds synergies between member universities, creating more opportunities for collaborative work within and beyond the group. More information and updates are available on the AALAU website at www.aalau.org.