IV International Sustainability Science, Technology and Policy, Asia(SUSTEP Asia) Workshop
May 22 (Fri) - 24 (Sun) 2015,
National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan	  Concept
Globalization overcomes geographical barriers and integrates economies, societies andcultures into a global communication and supply network. Universities play a central role byconnecting across boundaries, inducing knowledge flow, and promoting international
learning. In this sense, higher education and R&D are the only tools for the creation,dissemination and application of knowledge that will eventually lead us into a sustainable,
prosper and peaceful world. While societies have different challenges to overcome, theimplementation of an effective framework for knowledge dissemination is the first step inthis journey. Considering these urgent needs, the University of Tsukuba launched theSustainability Science, Technology, and Policy Program (SUSTEP) to foster global leaders,
whoarehighlytrainedinscience/technology,humanity/socialsciences,anddiplomacy/leadership. SUSTEP is an important initiative towards promoting globalization ofUniversities in Asia. SUSTEP provides an international and interdisciplinary forum topromote a deeper understanding of the various academic approaches to achieve asustainable Asia. In the three previous International Summits organized by SUSTEP we set
the foundations to promote collaborative education and research networking between
consortium universities as well as address the pillars to implement credit transfer schemes,
and the mechanisms to promote students/faculty mobility among consortium universities. In
this event we will outline the recent efforts of our School in achieving the internationalizationof our Program.

Participating Universities
Taiwan Normal University, Taipei (Host University)
University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki
Fudan University, Shanghai
University of Science, Vietnam National University of Hanoi, Hanoi
Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, Ho Chi Minh
Universitas Gadjah Mada, Jogjakarta

ProgramMarch 22: Welcome Ceremony
The Workshop started with the Welcome Ceremony. Prof. Chung-Ling Ouyang, Chair of
the Department of Geography, gave the welcome greetings to all participants.	  March 23: International Seminar
During the International Seminar each consortium university presented their latest
research achievements. We also explored the potential possibilities to launch joint
research projects.

March 24 Business Meeting
In the first stage each university presented the latest implementation initiatives towards
internationalization of their English Programs. We had the chance to share our commonchallenges and opportunities in introducing complete programs in English.	  March 24: Business Meeting (Wrap up Session)
In this session we summarized the outcomes of the previous session. We also identified
the main challenges and barriers to achieve a successful international education andexchange system among partner universities. Finally we reached a preliminary agreement
on various issues related to future steps:•••••

Since credit exchange implementation among all partner universities has many
barriers (difference in school year calendar, credits standardization, lack of MOU
among partner universities) we should encourage and disseminate individual
efforts such as the short-term (one semester) student exchange program hosted
by University of Tsukuba with the participation of partner universities fromIndonesia and Vietnam.
It would be more practical to complete all required credits at home university andconduct research in the second year at partner university (Fudan University iscurrently implementing a similar experience)o In this case how will the tuition fees be managed: the student will continue
paying his/her tuition fees at home university and should be exempted frompaying any fees at host university (this should be agreed by participatinguniversities). The host university will help the student with all administrative
processo This way we can promote student mobility through short stay (summer) or
one semester exchange programs.
University of Tsukuba and UGM will provide their webpage platforms for
information dissemination.
In the near future Universities should provide a ONE STOP STUDENT SERVICE
to speed up paper work and facilitate students mobility
Next SUSTEP meeting could be held in parallel with an international event
organized by a partner university. The University should share the information inadvance to allow time for preparation.