This study abroad program brings together four Asian universities (Waseda University, Peking University, Korea University, Nanyang Technological University) under the theme of solving problems faced by contemporary Asia. With these universities working hand-in-hand, the program aims to jointly develop talent (social innovators) who can create positive change regarding the various issues faced by a diverse range of societies.
Contemporary society is faced with climate change, population, poverty, and various other problems and crises. Asia, in particular, possesses a diversity of characteristics, natural disasters, religions, histories, ethnicities, and political systems that vary by region, as well as conflicts among values, interests, and disparities.
In particular, the global spread of COVID-19 has had an impact on science and technology, healthcare, lifestyles, and mobility, thereby pushing economies and corporate activities to turn inwards, and international relations to commit to ethnocentrism. As a result, the discontinuity in dialogue between the unique cultures of each country and region with their different value systems and cultures can also be seen to have become more intense and prominent.
In the context of globalization among today’s Asian societies with their high level of talent mobility, it is therefore necessary to create networks and platforms that include the Southeast Asian region in addition to the three countries of Japan, China, and South Korea. And this must be accomplished with a particular view to social and economic recovery in the post-COVID era, and with a vision for a sustainable future. These networks and platforms also require a fundamental rethinking and transformation of the multilevel nature and relationships of individuals, families, social organizations, communities, governments, and the international community.
Under a shared philosophy, the four Asian universities (Waseda University, Peking University, Korea University, Nanyang Technological University) participating in this study abroad program therefore aim to foster social innovators who can bring about positive change within society.
In the post-COVID era, the program assumes social innovators will require the capability known-as cultural intelligence. As used in the title of this study abroad program, cultural intelligence refers to adaptability when interacting with other people from different cultural regions. Specifically, cultural intelligence involves the ability to understand different cultures, the open-mindedness to encourage dialogue among civilizations, and the skills to propose and lead new mechanisms.
Moreover, the program also aims to develop talent who can link social problems to their solutions using the perspective and methodology of Dialogue between Civilizations. Specifically, Dialogue between Civilizations refers to an understanding of the historical context in which and how each country and region has developed in light of the differences between East and West (mentality, norms, discourse, etc.) and between cultures (national and local values, customs, actions, etc.), and to the conducting of collaborative research (surveys, discussions, recommendations, implementation) on the best way forward in aims of finding solutions.
This program includes the three following aspects as the basis for education:
- Study abroad at partner universities and designated program courses
- The “Social Innovation Project” as an inquiry based learning event in which students engage in themes they set themselves
- The “Social Innovation Forum” as an open exchange program where students from each university meet in person
During your short yet seemingly long university experience, we hope that you will participate in this program and flourish as social innovators who drive Asian society.