KCUE aims to Grow Pro-Korean Elites and Promote Korea-ASEAN Higher Education Cooperation through the HEAT Program

‣ 36 of 82 HEAT scholars have earned doctorate degrees

□  The Korean Council for University Education (KCUE), led by Chairman Park Sang-gue, is spearheading higher education cooperation between Korea and ASEAN. Through its Higher Education for ASEAN Talents (HEAT) Program, KCUE is supporting faculty members from ASEAN countries who hold a Master's degree to pursue doctorate degrees at Korean universities.

 

□  The HEAT Program is sponsored by the ASEAN-ROK Cooperation Fund (AKCF) and aims to contribute to the expansion of the scholarship program under the ASEAN-ROK Plan of Action (2021-2025), which outlines the goals of ASEAN-Korea cooperation. This program also aims to foster pro-Korean academic elites by inviting Master's degree holders from ASEAN countries to Korea and supporting them in their doctoral studies.

 

□  In the first phase of the program (2020-2025), 82 people (2 from Laos, 1 from Malaysia, 7 from Myanmar, 22 from Vietnam, 33 from Indonesia, 1 from Cambodia, 6 from Thailand, and 10 from the Philippines) were selected, and 36 of them earned doctorate degrees. KCUE plans to actively support scholars in obtaining their doctorate degrees in the future.

 

□  HEAT scholars are based at Korean universities* where they conduct research and publish in SSCI, SCOPUS, and KCI-indexed journals and participate in academic forums in collaboration with Korean scholars. They also play an important role in academic cooperation between Korea and ASEAN, for example by facilitating the conclusion of memorandums of understanding between the Korean universities* where they study and their affiliated ASEAN universities. Upon completion of their highest degree, HEAT scholars return to their affiliated ASEAN universities to train future leaders for ASEAN, creating a virtuous cycle.

     ※ Kangwon National University, Kyung Hee University, Korea University, Ewha Womans University, Jeonbuk National University, and Chung-Ang University

 

□  In an interview with KCUE in August 2024, a HEAT scholar expressed his gratitude, saying: "Without the HEAT scholarship, I would not have been able to focus solely on my studies and research. When I return to my home country, I'd like to play my role in developing higher education and facilitating academic cooperation between ASEAN and Korea." The HEAT Program has also been endorsed and recognized by ASEAN embassies in Korea.

 

□  To celebrate the graduation of HEAT scholars and to facilitate networking among them, KCUE hosted the fourth HEAT Scholars’ Networking Event - Celebration of Acquisition of Doctoral Degrees on February 26 at the Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun.

 

□  This was the fourth event since the first networking event in August 2023. In an effort to continue the momentum of the program, KCUE submitted a proposal for the second phase of the HEAT Program to the ASEAN-ROK Cooperation Fund in January. The council plans to launch the second program in January 2026 if the proposal is approved.

 

□  The Higher Education for ASEAN Talents Program has positioned itself as a key project in higher education cooperation and human resource development between Korea and ASEAN. Going forward, KCUE aims to cultivate pro-Korean elites in various fields, including the environment and healthcare, and further promote cooperation and academic exchanges between Korean and ASEAN universities through the second phase of the HEAT Program.