“moving with the times:” assumption university and the 2015 asean economic community dr....

“MOVING WITH THE TIMES:” Assumption University

and the 2015 ASEAN Economic

Community

Dr. Jean-Marc Dautrey

Copyright © Jean Dautrey 2013

“At the very least, education should move with the times and furthermore have the ability to move the times.”


Education must adjust to the new realities and ever-changing perspectives that confront all of us (locally, regionally, and globally).

This was already the case in 1693 … and this is even more so today!


We need to look to the future rather than dwell in the past.



What Future Awaits Southeast Asia?


Much of the future will be shaped by changes in ASEAN

2015 ASEAN Economic Community (AEC)

What Are the Implications for

Assumption University?


Be a change leaderSee change as an opportunityBalance continuity with change

and TIME FOR….“Organized abandonment” (putting

everything on trial for its life) and “Organized improvement”

TIME TOTIME TO… …


1. Add more regional content toAU curriculum.

2. Develop more partnerships with the industry.

3. Step up cooperation among ASEAN higher learning institutions.

4. Promote English as the key to communication within ASEAN.

HENCE, IT IS TIME TO… HENCE, IT IS TIME TO…


Why?


Many other universities in Thailand…

Have not been standing still and Have taken initiatives to modify their curricula in order to reflect the new regional realities.

FIRST,FIRST, IF ONLY BECAUSE…IF ONLY BECAUSE…


The changes in the region andThe needs of the labor market if it is to be relevant.

SECOND, EDUCATION MUST REFLECT…SECOND, EDUCATION MUST REFLECT…


Position AU as one of the leaders in ASEAN/AEC education… as part of Thailand‘s effort to establish itself as an Education Hub.

THIRD, RESTRUCTURING THE CURRICULUM THIRD, RESTRUCTURING THE CURRICULUM WILL ALSO...WILL ALSO...


Does not mean that every course needs to be ASEAN-specific and have an ASEAN/AEC label attached to it…

Small modifications within existing structures will often suffice.

HOWEVER, ADDING MORE REGIONAL HOWEVER, ADDING MORE REGIONAL CONTENT CONTENT TO THE CURRICULUM…TO THE CURRICULUM…


In non-ASEAN-specific courses as students can be engaged with AEC-related issues (off-the-cuff discussions)…

Every subject, be it Philosophy, Religion, Architecture, or Biology, lends itself to ASEAN-related discussions.

MUCH CAN BE ACHIEVEDMUCH CAN BE ACHIEVED……


Help students integrate ASEAN into their political, socio-economic… analyses and

Think of the region as a whole (be ASEAN-centric).


View the AEC through a lens that sees beyond traditional borders and

View ASEAN in a global context.


Beyond Traditional Borders: Why?



CROSSING BORDERS and

REMOVING BARRIERS


IT IS ABOUT…IT IS ABOUT…

Goods, Services, Skilled Labor & Capital Moving Freely Across Borders


ABOUT…ABOUT…

In order to merge the national markets into a Single Market bringing about conditions as close as possible to those of a genuine internal market.

Removing Barriers to… Intra-ASEAN Trade


To take advantage of the opportunities ahead and develop strategies to cope with the upcoming challenges.

Looking Beyond One’s Domestic Market and Crossing Borders


ABOUT…ABOUT…

And removing all obstacles and working seamlessly in an integrated three-pillar Community

Building an ASEAN COMMUNITY Across Borders…


ABOUT…ABOUT…

AND ABOUT…

ASEAN+1, ASEAN+3, and ASEAN+6 (RCEP)-- all part of ASEAN’s effort to build linkages and capitalize on the regional growth.

Crossing Borders to Develop….. Closer Ties with External Partners


THAT SAID, THE ROAD TO THE AEC IS THAT SAID, THE ROAD TO THE AEC IS BUMPY..BUMPY..


BUT there remain many political, economic, and technical obstacles to the efficient flow of goods, services, people, capital, and ideas across the region…

(e.g. competing national interests, territorial issues on land and seas…).

IT IS EASY TO GET THE IMPRESSION THAT IT IS EASY TO GET THE IMPRESSION THAT EVERYTHING IS GOING SMOOTHLY…EVERYTHING IS GOING SMOOTHLY…


For all the problems the region faces.

It is a step forward in what has been a 46-year journey.


Still, full integration of the region is… Inevitable!

The difficulties experienced in attempting to achieve multilateral trade agreements (e.g. the Doha round of WTO negotiations ) have led many countries to focus on regional trade arrangements as the primary means to expand international trade.

This has resulted in a concentration of trade within regions rather than globally.


IT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP IN MIND THAT...

Regional groupings promote both Competition and Cooperation among members… (all the more as the economic structures of most ASEAN countries are still more competitive than complementary).


Less Costly Products and New Players will be able to enter member states’ respective markets…

(in most sectors, these players will be allowed to have majority ownership).

SO, AS COMPETITION WILL SO, AS COMPETITION WILL INTENSIFY…INTENSIFY…


Will turn Competitors into Partners

(So much so that most Thai banks with ASEAN branches often double as match-makers for Thai companies, looking for partners in ASEAN or at home).

MANY ORGANIZATIONS...MANY ORGANIZATIONS...


Cross-border Mergers & Acquisitions, Joint Ventures and Strategic Alliances…

(A very good example of things to come is Vinasiam Bank in Vietnam, with Siam Bank and CP holding 33% each).

THERE WILL BE MORE…THERE WILL BE MORE…


Pan-ASEAN Cooperative Efforts such as Integrated Manufacturing Bases…

(e.g. the ASEAN Federation of Textile Industries plans to create one to strengthen the competitiveness of the garment and textile industries).

MORE…MORE…


Collaboration among ASEAN member countries in various areas…

(e.g. ASEAN TV, ASEAN Journalist Club…)

AND MORE…AND MORE…


So, What Regional Content Should Be Added to the Curriculum?

Which Partnerships Should Be Further Developed?


Well beyond a basic introductory course on ASEAN that outlines its contours and retraces the mains steps in its construction (which has its merits but needs to be complemented).

ALL THESE CHANGES IN ASEAN MAKE IT ALL THESE CHANGES IN ASEAN MAKE IT CLEAR CLEAR TTHAT STUDENTS NEED TO BE TRAINED...


Students need to be cognizant of other ASEAN cultures as working in countrieswith different cultural characteristics means: Different sets of customer-need priorities; Different negotiation styles; Different languages; and Different norms and values to contend with.


A solid Understanding of other ASEAN countries’ legal systems, societal values, consumer cultures, etc…(Multi-confessional, multi-ethnical, and multi-lingual Southeast Asia is a highly diversified region).

IN SHORT, ALL THESE CHANGES IN SHORT, ALL THESE CHANGES REQUIRE…REQUIRE…


An Increased Mobility of the work force with an Inflow/Outflow of skilled workers that will exacerbate job competition within the region…

(as a result of Mutual Recognition Arrangements – MRAs and ASEAN connectivity - eASEAN).

ALL THE MORE AS THERE WILL BE…ALL THE MORE AS THERE WILL BE…


A Multinational and Multicultural workforce…

(As some countries are experiencing a shortage of labor and multinational corporations are setting up ASEAN headquarters).

MANY ORGANIZATIONS WILL HAVE…MANY ORGANIZATIONS WILL HAVE…


Any managerial, organizational, financial behavioral, legal, logistical, operational, strategic, and marketing issues raised as part of conducting activities in ASEAN and working with a multicultural workforce…

Either in ASEAN-specific courses or in the context of general courses.


Can be turned into an opportunity to talk about ASEAN and engage students on a wide variety of ASEAN/AEC related topics…

(Ranging, for example, from the meaning of an ASEAN identity or the issue of ASEAN branding to Islamic banking...)


Table of ContentsIntroduction

Southeast Asia: A Complex and Diverse AreaAchieving Unity: a Tall Order?

ASEAN’s Global RelevanceP art I ASEAN’s Establishment and Enlargement

Chapter 1 Driving Forces Behind the Creation of ASEANChapter 2 ASEAN’s PrecursorsChapter 3 ASEAN’s Constituent DocumentChapter 4 ASEAN’s Enlargement

Part II ASEAN’s Evolution: from Political Cooperation toward Economic IntegrationChapter 5 From Political Cooperation Toward Economic IntegrationChapter 6 ASEAN Community 2015Chapter 7 ASEAN Economic Community 2015

Part III ASEAN’s Legal and Organizational FrameworksChapter 8 ASEAN’s Legal FrameworkChapter 9 The Legal Framework for intra-ASEAN Trade RelationsChapter 10 ASEAN’s Dispute Resolution MechanismChapter 11 ASEAN’s Organizational Structure and Decision Making Process

Part IV ASEAN Economic CooperationChapter 12 Trade in GoodsChapter 13 Trade in ServicesChapter 14 Cross-Border InvestmentsChapter 15 ASEAN e-Commerce

Part V ASEAN Functional CooperationChapter 16 Major Areas of Functional CooperationChapter 17 Social and Cultural Issues in ASEAN

Part VI ASEAN’s Sub-Regional ArrangementsChapter 18 The Greater Mekong Sub-regionChapter 19 Other Sub-Regional Arrangements

Part VII ASEAN’s External RelationsChapter 20 ASEAN’s External Economic RelationsChapter 21 ASEAN’s Defense and Security ArrangementsChapter 22 ASEAN and Global IssuesChapter 23 ASEAN’s Changing External Relations

Concluding Remarks

For comparative purposes may also prove helpful to stimulate discussions and stir debates…

All the more as the EU is often perceived either as: A model to emulate or A cautionary tale.


A different perspective from which to reflect on ASEAN’s achievements and help to develop an appreciation of the issues ASEAN is facing…

(References could also be made to some other regional economic arrangements).


Abbreviations (such as, for instance, ‘AMM’ or ‘AEMM,’ often used by local papers in their

headlines in reference to high-level ASEAN Meetings) and Terms such as, for example, “ASEAN

Depository Link”, “ASEAN Clearing Link” or “ASEAN Stars.”

This is the jargon they will encounter.


Being absolutely up-to-date is impossible. ASEAN activities are evolving in response to its AEC agenda and to external changes.

What is current today may be outdated tomorrow (economic cooperation is a current event)…

Accordingly, it is critical to regularly consult ASEAN home page on the World Web Site (www.asean.org).


Case studies and any material involving ASEAN companies or ASEAN-specific issuesshould be used to develop the skills and knowledge which the new AEC realities demand.

To do so, however, will require more cooperation and information-sharing between the industry and AU.


Build ethical values; Strengthen the moral compass; and Promote social accountability and environmental responsibility.


To focus on the holistic development of each student:

On the need to: Be open to the ideas and opinions of

others; Recognize that their standards and values

are as valid as our own; Put national agendas, religions, languages,

ethnicities, mutual suspicion, and historical animosity behind; and

Keep working toward more unity within ASEAN.


Will spur more Local Companies (large and not so large) to Venture Outside ASEAN…

[With China as the most favored FDI destination, in spite of lingering uncertainty about regulation and strategic partners (e.g. Lebuan, Indorama…)].

MOREOVER, SINCE BUSINESS MOREOVER, SINCE BUSINESS CONSOLIDATION CONSOLIDATION ACROSS ASEAN…ACROSS ASEAN…


The Role of China as a Major Investor and Key Driver of economic development in ASEAN countries will increase…

(and to a lesser extent, so will that of India and South Korea).

AND ENCOURAGE CLOSER TIES WITH THE AND ENCOURAGE CLOSER TIES WITH THE MAJOR REGIONAL ECONOMIES…MAJOR REGIONAL ECONOMIES…


More Exchange ProgramsMore Case Studies involving Sino-Thai or Sino-ASEAN issues andMore Civilization Courses.


In addition to the language, students will need tohave some knowledge of Chinese norms and values, business culture, market specificities, etc,which in turn calls for….

Should be included in the curriculum and

Partnerships with THAI companies doing business in these countries should also be reinforced/developed.


To recruit more Asian students and offer them internships in Thai organizations doing business in these students’ native countries…

(They could then go back home and work for those Thai companies - something which AU has been doing but could further developed).

Again, this calls for extended cooperation between the industry and AU.


Exacerbate the Need for Innovation, especially with regard to SMEs...

(SMEs cannot win over the market with lowest cost but can differentiate with high value and innovation).

SINCE THE AEC WILL ALSO…SINCE THE AEC WILL ALSO…


And the promotion of original thinking is also essential to nurture innovation and change.

Equally important is the critical examination of prevailing concepts as opposed to merely conforming to existing notions and approaches.

CONTINUED EMPHASIS ON CORE CONTINUED EMPHASIS ON CORE SUBJECTS…SUBJECTS…


However, the unstoppable prominence of English poses the risk of eroding some aspects of Thai culture.

While the tides of change cannot be held back, there may be a need for AU to put in place strategies to preserve every aspect of Thai culture.


The importance of English as a lingua franca.

What About Stepping Up Cooperation Within ASEAN?


Are still for the most part essentially organized at national levels.

Thus, effective cooperation Among institutions of higher learning and Between them and the industry

Needs to be intensified.


It is imperative that policymakers, universities, and the private sector foster more collaboration in the area of education, relevant research, publication, and faculty development

So as to promote seamless working relationships among all the stakeholders in education.


An ASEAN University Network (AUN) since 1995, (27 members) cooperation among ASEAN universities is still at a low level.

One of the main reasons is the wide range of practices and standards among ASEANmembers in relation to education andtraining that impede more cooperation and recognition of qualifications.


The overall process of introducing a system of academic degrees that are easily recognizable and comparable is moving slowly…

The AUN plans to extend its ASEAN credit transfer system to more universities across ASEAN.


All students should have the opportunity during their studies to have a period of study or a work placement in another ASEAN country

(A good example of what can be done is the EU’s so-called ‘Erasmus Program’ which funds around 200,000 students every year to study in any other EU country).


1. As a broad concept, education focuses on a limitless spectrum of issues to meet a multiplicity of personal and societal needs. Much the same can be said of ASEAN and the almost limitless issues on which students can be engaged, either in the context of ASEAN-specific or general courses.


2. AU has a vital role to play in forming informed, responsible ASEAN-minded students who can work efficiently in an AEC (and global) context and develop a sense of community.

3. It is therefore essential for AU to keep adjusting its curriculum to the AEC realities and the new borders in order to meet employers’ expectations and students’ aspirations as well as the demands of an increasingly more competitive working environment.


4. It is also critical for AU to strengthen its cooperation with the industry, ASEAN Higher Education institutions, feeder schools, and governmental agencies.

5. In short, AU needs to remain innovative, flexible and responsive to the dictates of the changing environment.


Question:

How do you spell ‘the future’ using only three letters?


Answer:

A.E.C.


THANK YOU for

YOUR ATTENTION


“moving with the times:” assumption university and the 2015 asean economic community dr....

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