The 18th Annual Review Meeting of the Asian International Mobility for Students
(AIMS) Programme
7-8 August 2024
Hiroshima, Japan
The 18th Annual Review Meeting of the Asian International Mobility for Students (AIMS) Programme was held on 7-8 August 2024 in Hiroshima, Japan. The event was graciously hosted by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Japan and Hiroshima University, with SEAMEO RIHED as co-organiser. Over 160 participants, including representatives from AIMS member governments, universities, and alumni, attended.
Under the theme “Reimagining Mobility for Peace and Sustainability,” participants engaged in insightful discussions, exploring how AIMS can further enhance student mobility while promoting peace and sustainable development. Participants also had the experience of observing the ambience in Hiroshima during the week of the Peace Memorial Day. Additionally, 28 students took part in the AIMS Summer Intensive Programme: Future of Higher Learning from Student Perspectives, held from 1-8 August 2024, as a special side event of the 18th Annual Review Meeting and in commemoration of Hiroshima University’s 75+75 years anniversary.
The 18th Annual Review Meeting featured a series of sessions, beginning with a warm welcome from the hosts and organizers, followed by the Programme Overview and Updates on the latest developments as agreed by the Special Online Steering Committee Meeting. The AIMS Member Countries Roundtable Discussion provided an insightful platform for government representatives to share their policies and initiatives towards sustainable development and explore how AIMS can further support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A keynote session on “Moving AIMS into the Future: Exploring Innovative Mobility for Flexible Learning” inspired the discussions in the subsequent breakout sessions. Day 1 concluded with a networking session and a Welcome Dinner graciously hosted by MEXT Japan.
On the second day, students from the AIMS Summer Intensive Programme shared their forward-looking ideas on the future of higher education and actively engaged with the participants. The event concluded with a Closing Ceremony, and a cultural visit to Miyajima Island before departing.
The inputs from the 18th Annual Review Meeting will be discussed among the Steering Committee Members at the 9th Steering Committee Meeting, scheduled in November 2024 in Brunei Darussalam.
We look forward to seeing you again at the 19th Annual Review Meeting in Penang, Malaysia in 2025!
SEAMEO RIHED wishes to express its deepest appreciation to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Japan and Hiroshima University for their outstanding hospitality and invaluable support in hosting the 18th Annual Review Meeting of the AIMS Programme. Arigatou gozaimasu!
We also extend our sincere thanks to the government representatives who participated in the Roundtable Discussion; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chawin Chantharasenawong, Vice President for Internationalisation at King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Thailand, for delivering a compelling keynote session, as well as to the facilitators, rapporteurs and presenters of the faculty and IRO breakout groups, and the AIMS Alumni for their enthusiastic and meaningful contributions to the discussions.
Group picture
Official Opening
Prof. Mitsuo Ochi, President of Hiroshima University, Asst. Prof. Dr. Romyen Kosaikanont, Centre Director, SEAMEO RIHED, and Mr. Shin Okuno, Deputy Director-General, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Japan, at the Opening.
Meeting
