NEWS

On December 2nd and 3rd, 2023, Ritsumeikan Center for Asia Pacific Studies (RCAPS) held the Asia Pacific Conference 2023 (AP Conference 2023).

The AP Conference, one of the largest international academic conferences in the humanities and social sciences held in English in Japan, has been organized annually since 2003 to provide researchers worldwide with opportunities to present their research. This year's theme was "Shaping a New World from Asia Pacific," and the number of participants (from over 45 countries and regions), including presenters and attendees, exceeded 340, the highest in the conference’s history. As a first-time initiative for the AP Conference, a symposium commemorating the 50th anniversary of Japan-ASEAN Friendship and Cooperation was co-hosted with the Japanese Cabinet Office.

In the symposium related to the 50th anniversary of Japan-ASEAN Friendship and Cooperation, titled "50 Years of Japan-ASEAN Friendship and Cooperation: Process and Future Challenges," six experts from Japan and abroad participated as panelists. Considering the future of Japan-ASEAN relations, there were numerous questions from floor participants and a lively discussion unfolded. (You can watch the uncut symposium on Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/live/_gA07P-I7uk?si=8O6obD4QD8yN0NyX)

For the keynote speech, Dr. Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar, Chairman of the University Grants Commission under the Indian government and professor at the Indian Institute of Technology (Delhi), was invited to speak on "Shaping Indian Higher Education for Globalization: Challenges, Opportunities, and Way Forward." In breakout sessions, participants presented their research content and findings, engaging in heated discussions to exchange ideas, sharpen insights, and enhance awareness of issues. The day also featured an award ceremony for the Best Paper Award, which recognizes outstanding graduate students who authored excellent papers.