APEC education ministers’ meeting opens

Education Minister Lee Ju-ho

Top educators of 21 Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) members will discuss globalization, the convergence of education and technology and other topics at the fifth education ministerial meeting, which will kick off a three-day run in Gyeongju today.

The APEC Education Ministerial Meeting will be the biggestever such event to be held here.

Under the theme of “Future Challenges and Educational Responses: Fostering Global, Innovative and Cooperative Education,” the forum will attract more than 600 international guests, including representatives of global institutions and corporate executives.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Korea’s Education Minister Lee Ju-ho will hold a series of bilateral talks with his counterparts to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation and share Korea’s education programs, the ministry said.

He said in a recent interview that by hosting the event the country seeks to not only enhance the international recognition of Korean education, but also become a global leader in spearheading a technology-driven transition in the educational sector.

“Korea wants to establish a reputation as an educational powerhouse in the digital era by spurring the convergence of technology and education and sharing this knowhow with lessdeveloped nations,” Lee said.

“We want to present new solutions that will usher in the era of smart learning at the APEC forum in Gyeongju.” The forum comes amid growing worldwide interest in Korean education following U.S. President Barack Obama’s repeated comments on educational enthusiasm here. Obama has cited parents’ zeal toward education as one of the key factors that enabled Korea’s economic growth. He has also praised Korean parents for their dedication to their children’s education.

Before the closing ceremony on May 23, the APEC members will issue a joint statement to put their agreements into action and vitalize educational exchanges, the ministry said. Lee will deliver a speech on Korea’s growing role in the global education sector Tuesday.

The APEC forum will be a paperless meeting. Participants can check discussion topics and related information through tablets provided by Samsung Electronics.

The ministry has also set up booths besides the conference hall, where visitors can experience various smart learning solutions.

It will operate a tour program for foreigners to help them visit nearby Korean schools and meet with students.

Korea is the second Asian country to host the event after Singapore in 2000. The last meeting was held in 2008 in Peru. <Korea Times/Na Jeong-ju>

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