26 April 2021

Introducing the AUN Thematic Network Series #7 – AUN-USR&S

By
AUN Writer Team

The ASEAN University Network Social Responsibility & Sustainability (AUN USR&S) serves as a network within the ASEAN community and its neighbors that aims to drive trans-disciplinary social responsibility initiatives between higher education institutions and diverse stakeholders, to promote greater university-industry-community collaborations that enhance the quality of life for ASEAN and Asian communities.

AUN USR&S was established in May 2011 during the “Knowledge for the People, Research for Community Life '' Conference and hosted by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). The network was formally proposed as an enabling mechanism to achieve greater regional cooperation amongst the higher education institutions in ASEAN as well as to contribute to the social, economic, and environmental development of the region. This came from the recognition of a need for the thematic network during the inaugural Workshop on University’s Social Responsibility and Sustainability from ASEAN-Japan Perspectives: Sharing and Caring for a Better Community, hosted at Burapha University, Thailand in 2010.

AUN USR&S upholds its commitment of conduct for the betterment of the living society through its programs such as the ASEAN Youth Volunteer Programme (AYVP) and hosting different workshops in being able to engage and educate the ASEAN community with activities focused on capacity building for sustainable development. The network also hosts programs such as ASEAN Journal of Community Engagement (AJCE) and collaborative research with stakeholders as well as research and evaluation of social impact in keeping true to its mandate of promoting greater university-industry-community collaborations that enhance the quality of life for ASEAN and Asian communities.

AUN USR&S is also furthered by AsiaEngage (AE), a regional platform formed to maximize the strengths of organizations such as AUN USR&S together with Asia-Talloires Network of Industry and Community Engaged Universities (ATNEU), and the AYVP. The AsiaEngage Regional Conference is hosted by AE biennially which caters to the research, education, and engagement missions of higher education institutions to create mutually beneficial partnerships between multi-sector stakeholders – higher education institutions, industries, foundations, communities, NGOs, and government agencies – with the aim to uplift the quality of peoples’ lives across ASEAN and Asia.

Upon its introduction in 2010, AUN USR&S has continued its orientation towards the uplifting of the quality of life within the ASEAN region as it further strengthens the connection between the academe, social responsibility, and sustainable development. The network hopes to be able forge ahead continuing the cohesion and collaboration of higher education, industries present within the region and the ASEAN community, all of which have been unceasingly geared towards sustainability as well as greater understanding, good neighborliness, and a shared sense of responsibility within the region.

Contact Information

  • Email: [email protected]
  • Website: http://www.asiaengage.org/v2/
  • Tel: 03-89214655
  • Fax: 03-89214652
  • Office Address: Level 3, University Community Transformation Centre (UCTC UKM), Tun Fatimah Hashim Building, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor

In our next article, we will look at AUN-HPN, who have strived to connect health experts and practitioners from various institutions to promote healthy lifestyles and environments for students and others.