The ASPBAE Festival of Learning, was organized from 18-21 November 2014 at Yogyakarta, Indonesia to commemorate the 50th anniversary of ASPBAE. The main objective of the Festival was to discuss the Education agenda beyond 2015 and to discuss a framework of action during the World Education Forum in May 2015 in Incheon, Korea. The Festival was attended by over 130 participants from across Asia Pacific which included ASPBAE members, ASPBAE Executive Council and staff, ASPBAE partners notably from DVV International, UNESCO, UIL, the Global Campaign for Education (GCE) and the International Council for Adult Education (ICAE), ASPBAE’s past office bearers, local Indonesian NGOs, representatives from government and other ASPBAE supporters and friends.
On Day 2 of the conference a Learning Exchange war organized with the University of Gadjah Mada. The following presentations were made by honorable speakers at the Learning Exchange.
Knowledge, Engagement and Higher Education: Contributing to Social Change by Dr. Rajesh Tandon
Dr Rajesh Tandon, Co-chair, UNESCO Chair in Community Based Research & Social Responsibility in Higher Education made the presentation on the Chair’s perspective on knowledge and engagement in society. The points and issues he raised in his presentation resonated with the Indonesian wisdom and teaching model. He also elaborated on the multiple modes, forms and sources of knowledge that underpins the new GUNI Report. The concepts of knowledge democracy outlined in the presentation were found to be very relevant to the Indonesian context.
Student Teacher Aesthetic Role-sharing (STAR) Programme, Centre for Innovation in Higher Education (CIHE), University of Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia by Dr. Ir. Aziz Purwantoro, M.sc, STAR
UGM has begun an interesting programme called STAR which promote students and faculty learning local wisdom and theoretical frameworks. Dr Aziz made an excellent presentation on this based the intellectual work of Hajar Dewantara, an indigenous intellectual in 1931. The Pratap Triloka model builds on the notion of trinity, so common in many indigenous cultures and religions worldwide. The integration of scientific, constructive and local wisdom under 3Ns enables students to become members of a learning community solving real problems, and not just ‘smart graduates’ for personal careers alone. Dr Aziz did mention that the STAR approach is being introduced university wide gradually with certain incentives, as there is resistance from faculty, and some students, to understanding epistemology and pedagogy differently from the standard colonial tradition.
Role of Universities in Lifelong Learning and Sustainable Development, post 2015 by Heribert Hinzen
Dr Heribert Hinzen, Regional Director, DVV International, Office for South & South East Asia gave a presentation on the Role of Universities in post 2015. He emphasized on the latter’s role in the domains of training, research and development co-operation. He also mentioned the importance and relevance of a global education policy, especially with respect to the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs). He cited the example of APUCEN (Asia Pacific University Community Engagement Network) and ASEM Education & Research Hub on Life-long learning as doing an outstanding work in this context.