By Kris M. Crismundo
MANILA, Aug. 15 (PNA) — Member economies of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) will pursue developments in five key areas through science and technology in higher education.
APEC economies concluded the first High-Level Policy Dialogue on Science and Technology in Higher Education on Friday with a joint statement to develop science and technology innovators to have an inclusive, resilient, and sustained growth in the region.
In the joint statement, APEC discussed measures to develop five key areas, through science and technology in higher education, including food production and security; environment, disaster risk reduction and response, climate change and energy; marine resources; economy, biodiversity and conservation; smart analytics and engineering innovations; and health systems.
“These themes are important for inclusive, resilient, and sustained growth of APEC member economies,” said Commission on Higher Education Chairperson Patricia Licuanan who is also the High-Level Policy Dialogue’s co-chair.
“We recognize the varying levels of advancements and diversity in the higher education systems as well as marked differences in innovation and the scientific and technological progress among APEC member economies,” she added.
During the two-day dialogue, APEC economies agreed to focus on mobility of experts on science and technology to improve knowledge sharing initiatives within the region.
The joint statement also proposed to create a plan that can lead feasibility mechanisms for increased and enhanced mobility of science and technology and innovation experts, informed by a cost-benefit analysis and user-based information.
Advancing cross-border education and inter-university collaboration were also identified to enhance mobility of science and technology and innovation experts in APEC economies.
“In light of this evolving terrain in higher education, we propose to study where appropriate, or share information about qualification frameworks, professional standards, and novel quality assurance control policies or mechanisms that can promote equity and quality of expanding higher education systems in the APEC region,” Licuanan said. (PNA)