Presidents and representatives of 40 universities in Asia, including many universities of education (teacher colleges), pledged to collaborate to improve the education of teachers and promote educational research and development.

At the inaugural Asian Roundtable of Presidents of Universities of Education hosted by the Hong Kong Institute of Education (HKIEd) on May 22, HKIEd President Professor Anthony B. L. Cheung underlined that universities, schools and teachers are facing unprecedented challenges arising from globalization and the knowledge economy.

"Education is no longer confined to preparing students for predictable futures. Helping educators adapt to changing professional standards and expectations no doubt represents one of the key roles that institutions which are dedicated to education will play in the coming years."

"*Lifelong learning* has the potential to create wealth for the nation and continuing wealth and well being for individuals and families," Professor Dato' Dr. Ibrahim Ahmad Bajunid, Senior Vice President of the INTI-University College, Laureate International Universities (INTI-UC), Malaysia declared in his keynote speech to the Roundtable.

With the theme "Universities of Education: Transforming Future Learning in Asian Societies", the roundtable gathered leaders in education from across Asia - including representatives from China, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Thailand, Macau and Hong Kong, to -discuss the new role of universities of education in an era of change.

However, the presidents of 10 universities, mostly from Japan and Taiwan, which had previously signed up for the Roundtable, did not make it because of concerns over the spread of H1N1 influenza in the region. However they expressed their strong support for the Roundtable and its Joint Message.

The Joint Message adopted at the Roundtable was endorsed by 39 universities, including those not present.

With the first of its kind message, all participating universities committed to further extend and deepen their partnership to promote academic exchange and share exemplary practices for the development of educational systems and the education of teachers. They agreed to foster research and development activities that will have a positive impact on education policy, practice and innovation both locally and internationally.

As the signature event of HKIEd's 15th anniversary celebrations, the Roundtable provided participants with an invaluable platform for discussing and exchanging views on the way forward for teacher education, and ways universities of education can best contribute to the advancement of education in the region.

The Roundtable featured three separate discussion sessions in which three eminent scholars shared their valuable insights on how teachers can foster a lifelong interest in learning in students and how universities can prepare to meet challenges in an era of change.

Besides Professor Dato' Dr. Ibrahim Ahmad Bajunid, the two other speakers were former vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and Director of the College of Chinese Language and Culture at Beijing Normal University Professor Xu Jialu and Professor Mark Bray, Director of UNESCO's International Institute for Educational Planning.

Joint Message from the Presidents of Universities of Education

In the 21st century, the key task of education is to contribute to the development of human capacity to meet the challenges of rapid social, technological and economic changes.

The role of teachers, therefore, is both more important and more demanding than ever before. We, the Presidents of universities and institutions of education, hereby strongly reiterate the following pledges for the betterment of education in our societies today and in the future by:

Affirming that education is critical to the moral, social and economic well being of our societies, as it cultivates knowledge, understanding and values among citizens, and enhances human capacity to create a sustainable future.

Seeking opportunities and means to enhance educational access and quality for all children in our societies.

Dedicating ourselves to preparing high quality teachers, supporting their continuing professional development and providing opportunities for lifelong learning in our communities.

Contributing to the regional and global education communities by engaging in research and development activities that serve to inform educational policy, practice and innovation.

Collaborating as partners to promote academic exchange and share exemplary practices for the development of educational systems and teacher education in the region and beyond.

Participants: (In alphabetical order)

Aichi University of Education

Cebu Normal University

Cheongju National University of Education

East China Normal University

Fujian Normal University

Guangxi Normal University

Guizhou Normal University

Gwangju National University of Education

Hainan Normal University

Hanoi National University of Education

Hokkaido University of Education

Huazhong Normal University

Hunan Normal University

Hyogo University of Teacher Education

Institute of Education, University of London

Jiangxi Normal University

Karlsruhe University of Education

Korea National University of Education

Leyte Normal University

Nanjing Normal University

National Institute of Education, Nanyang

Technological University

National Taichung University

National Taipei University of Education

Osaka Kyoiku University

Philippine Normal University

Seoul National University of Education

Shaanxi Normal University

Shanghai Normal University

Sichuan Normal University

South China Normal University

Sultan Idris Education University

Taipei Municipal University of Education

Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University

The Hong Kong Institute of Education

Tokyo Gakugei University

Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia

University of Education, Lahore

Yunnan Normal University

Zurich University of Teacher Education

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