Author: Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan, Founding Chair GSRRA, Sinologist, Diplomat, Editor, Analyst, and Non-Resident Fellow of CCG (Center for China and Globalization). (E-mail: awanzamir@yahoo.com).

The Education Forum of Asia was created with the vision of promoting a more relevant, more dynamic, and higher quality of education in Asia. Among its goals the forum works towards improving access to basic education and educational opportunities for disadvantaged children and various communities across the region. Through the identification and development of lifelong learning and other educational opportunities the forum seeks to assist populations adjust to the rapidly changing work environment.

It aims to establish a high-level platform for dialogue on education development issues and supports education policies and international cooperation through innovative programs. In addition, the forum will continue to explore the issues and individual communities, while increasing mutual understanding among countries through cultural and academic exchanges.

The idea for Education Forum for Asia was hatched in the autumn of 2002. The China Scholarship Council and BOAO Forum for Asia joined with UNESCO to collaborate on developing a conference focused on international education and the development of global talent and human resource in the Asia region. In cooperation with the Chinese Ministry of Education, all three organizations worked to further develop these ideas into the creation on an Education Forum.

On December 5-6, 2003, the Meeting of Initiators for the Education Forum for Asia was held in Beijing. The meeting was honoured by the attendance of 95 delegates from 19 countries and regions representing governmental bodies, international organizations, multinational companies, and education institutions.

In accordance with the forum's mission, through its development in recent years, Education Forum for Asia has gained greater and greater acceptance from education circles in Asia and around the world. It is recognized as a standing body that welcomes learned, influential public figures and organizations willing to make significant contributions to our work in variety of ways, thereby enabling Education Forum for Asia to reach its full potential and exert greater influence on education in Asia and the world. In this way, the forum has fully realized its aim of "Building Bridges for Asian Education".

The initiators of the Forum includes: H.E Mr.Kirti Nidhi Bista, former Prime Minister, Nepal, H.E. Mrs. Jenny Shipley, former Prime Minister, New Zealand, H.E. Mr. Fidel V.Ramos, former President, The Philippines, H.E. Mr. Sergey Terechshenko, former Prime Minister, Kazakhstan, H.E. Mr. Sheldon Shaeffer, Director, UNESCO Bangkok, H.E. Mr. Vitor Ng, Chairman of Macao Foundation, Macao, China, and H.E. Mr. Lee Soo Sung, former Prime Minister, Republic of Korea.

It is supported by: Ministry of Education of China, Macao Education and Youth Affairs Bureau, Education Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Beijing Municipal Commission Education, Beijing Haidian District Municipal Commission Education, and Juren Education Group.

2023Education Forum for Asian Annual Conference was held on 10-12 November 2023, in Chengdu, China. The Theme of the Conference was “Education, discovering a World with more possibilities”. It was sponsored by several organizations and departments like: China Association of Higher Education, Chinese Society of Educational Development Strategy, WRSA-CA, China Association for Student Employment, China Education Investors Chamber of Commerce, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu University; Organizers: Education Forum for Asia Training Centre, Distance Education in China; Responsible units: Chengdu Education Bureau, Chengdu Municipal Bureau of Exposition.  The Conference was attended by International and Chinese experts and visionary speakers educated the thousands of the attendees. It was a very successful conference and met all the desired goals. 

I have been associated with the Forum for more than 10 years, since I was serving as Counsellor at the Embassy of Pakistan in Beijing and responsible for cooperation between China and Pakistan in the areas of Science, Technology, Innovation, Research, Transfer of Technology and Higher Education. I also have attended several annual conferences of the Forum and facilitated the bridging the educational institution of Pakistan with the Forum. 

While having close interaction with forum for more than 10 tears, It was noticed that the Forum is not only playing importance role in promoting Education, but also bringing various nation closed to each other by having diversified activities aimed at enhancing people to people interaction, understanding each other’s cultures and public diplomacy. Several countries, including Pakistan is beneficiary of the Forum.

Based on my personal experience, it is acknowledged the contribution of the Forum and congratulate them on its 20th Anniversary. Wishing them to have higher quality achievements in the future. All the best and good luck.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)