11th International Conference on Education and Culture

The University of Asia and the Pacific organised the Eleventh Asia-Pacific Conference on Education and Culture 2007, which was hosted by USQ and held from 15 to 17 November 2007.

Theme

In Search of a Common Understanding of the Humanities

Program

Speakers and guests included the following:

• Mayor of Toowoomba, Councillor Di Thorley
  
• University of Southern Queensland Vice-Chancellor, Professor Bill Lovegrove

Message from the Conference Convenor Ms Ma Susana E. Manzon, Vice President for Student and Alumni Affairs, University of Asia and the Pacific, Philippines

Keynote Address by Dr Jose Maria G. Mariano, President, University of Asia and the Pacific, Philippines

Session 1 Beginning of a Dialogue Towards a Common Understanding of Humanities

moderated by Dr Peter Sheehan, Vice-Chancellor, Australian Catholic University, Australia

'How can dialogue be enlarged to include engagement in the exchange of personal, genuine convergent individual community gifts?' presented by Dr Michael Anthony Vasco, Professor and College Secretary, The Graduate School, University of Santo Tomas, Philippines

'In the presupposition of multilayered diversity in the Asia-Pacific dialogue, what key concepts and common values could serve as points of genuine convergence?' presented by: Dr Anne Hickling-Hudson, Associate Professor, School of Cultural and Language Studies in Education, Queensland University of  Technology, Australia

'The Dean of a Modern-Day Liberal Education University and the Development of a Liberally Educated Faculty - how does the Dean of the contemporary liberal education college mould the faculty to become the ideal liberal educator?' presented by Professor Wayne Hudson, Director, Centre for Advanced Studies in The Humanities, Griffith University, Australia

'What is the real importance of multicultural issues in an authentic dialogue on the humanities and how can they work?' presented by Dr Krzysztof Batorowicz, Director Multicultural Centre, University of Southern Queensland, Australia

Session 2 Convergence and Growth Admidst Differentiated Togetherness

moderated by Mr John Clarke, Executive Officer to Vice-Chancellor, University of Southern Queensland, Australia

'What historical paths and current trends pose the major challenges to humane growth and development in the Asia-Pacific region?' presented by Dr Eugene Chiu, Dean College of Arts, Tunghai University, Taiwan

'How do we encourage our differences as a way to negotiate pluralism in the Asia-Pacific region without fear of losing our "togetherness"?' presented by Dr Shantilal K. Somaiya, Chairman Somaiya Trust and K.J. Somaiya Bharatiya Sanskriti Peeetham, India

'How can cooperation on both the cognitive and practical levels be fostered?' presented by Dr Richard A. Benton, Advisor to the Director Tainui Endowed College, New Zealand

Session 3 The Humanities in the Asia-Pacific and Western Contexts

moderated by: Dr Jose Maria G. Mariano, President, University of Asia and the Pacific, Philippines

What is the concept of the humanities that is best centered on the values of person and human dignity as shared by Asia-Pacific cultures?' presented by Dr Rui Yang, Senior Lecturer Faculty of Education, Monash University, Australia

'What is the concept of person that the Western and Asia-Pacific idea of the humanities can best be built upon?' presented by Dr Jaime An Lim, Dean, Institute of Arts and Sciences, Far Eastern University Philippines

'How can the integrated concept or understanding of the humanities be attained in the context of genuine humanness-inspired togetherness that nevertheless respects our differences?' presented by Dr Anibal Vial Echeverria, Executive President, EDUCAR, Chile.

For more information please contact William Conwell, Manager, Multicultural Centre, telephone +61 7 4631 1678.