The 15th Annual Review Meeting of the AIMS Programme

The 15^th Annual Review Meeting of the AIMS Programme was held online on 10 November 2021 to pursue the theme of “Continuity of Mobility for a more Sustainable Future”. Over 200 AIMS government and university representatives attended to connect with their peers, share good practices and explore future directions of AIMS to maximise the mobility programmes for the benefits the learners.

• Asst Prof Dr Romyen Kosaikanont, Centre Director of SEAMEO RIHED, shared her vision for AIMS to be future-oriented for the maximum benefits of mobility programme for the learners and a collective learning space among governments, universities and students.
• Governments’ national policies, regulations and support surrounding mobility, and reflections from government representatives on the good practices and lessons learned from almost 2 years since the start of the pandemic were shared during the Roundtable discussion. The AIMS infographic on the current national policies and support be shared on the AIMS website soon!
• Students’ voices and views on virtual mobility during the Marketplace session showed the importance of a good virtual mobility design that engage and provide immersive experiences, and opportunities to connect with other students to build a supportive network!
• Government representatives, faculty members and international relations officers entered breakout groups to discuss more in depth collaboration towards the continuity of mobility, especially in setting targets for the next year’s cycle of mobility within each Discipline.
• The AIMS University Social Responsibility (USR) for Sustainable Development Webinar was co-organised by SEAMEO RIHED and the University Social Responsibility Network (USRN) as a part of AIMS direction to promote USR and explore contributions to address societal challenges for a more sustainable future.

• AIMS is expanding modes of mobility to ensure the continuity of mobility, including physical, hybrid and virtual modes.
• New upcoming initiatives:
  • SEA-EU Mobility Programme for Sustainable Development – a new interregional and interdisciplinary programme between the region and Europe, focusing on sustainable development, to be launched in 2022!
  • University Social Responsibility (USR) integration in AIMS – higher education can contribute to the solutions for global challenges, AIMS will promote USR and sustainable development through the sharing of good practices and initiate region-wide USR activities under AIMS
  • AIMS Research Working Group – what is the impact of AIMS? This question and more will be investigated with the re-initiation of the AIMS Research WG.
  • AIMS Alumni Network – growing the AIMS Community and keeping the connection after the exchange!
  • AIMS Regional Orientation – a virtual orientation to support incoming students in learning more about the AIMS Programme and meet their fellow students and professors!

Note: Endorsed by the 6th Steering Committee Meeting held on 18 August 2021.

Thank you to all the participants and support from our Moderator, Leads, Provocateurs and Rapporteurs for each session of the Programme!

We look forward to meeting you at the 16^th Annual Review Meeting of the AIMS Programme in the Republic of Korea!