On August 21, 2025, the 2025 CAMPUS Asia Plus Annual Symposium was convened at the National University of Laos (NUOL). Centered on the theme of “Designing the Next Generation of Risk Management in Asia: Cooperation, Knowledge, Innovation,” the symposium was jointly hosted by the Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies (GSICS) of Kobe University in Japan and the Faculty of Economics & Business Management (FEB) of NUOL. Faculty and students from Fudan University, China; Korea University, ROK; Kobe University, Japan; Chulalongkorn University, Thailand; and NUOL congregated in Vientiane to review the program’s achievements over the past five years and deliberate on the future of risk management in Asia. This event was attended by Dean Su Changhe and Vice Dean Zhang Ping from the School of International Relations and Public Affairs (SIRPA) at Fudan University, Executive Program Director Chen Xing, faculty advisors Zheng Bingdao and Li Yin from the Department of Public Administration, representatives from the Foreign Affairs Office, and students.
During the opening ceremony, Professor Phouphet Kyophilavong, Vice President of NUOL; Professor Su Changhe of Fudan University; Professor Jung-Sun Han of Korea University; Professor Ratsiri Thato of Chulalongkorn University; and Professor Yuichiro Uchida of Kobe University delivered keynote speeches. They unanimously commended CAMPUS Asia Plus for fostering regional collaboration, advancing academic exchange, and cultivating young talent, and expressed strong expectations for deepening inter-university cooperation. The ceremony concluded with a gift exchange and group photo.
The symposium included a keynote address by Toshihisa Toyoda, Professor Emeritus at Kobe University, who provided an in-depth analysis of risk management in East Asia and the future direction of CAMPUS Asia Plus. He highlighted the significance of regional cooperation and forward-looking research in the face of climate change and compound disasters. The session was chaired by Professor Keiichi Ogawa of Kobe University, with additional commentary from Professor Phouphet Kyophilavong, Vice President of NUOL.
In the students’ parallel session, graduate representatives from the five universities presented their latest research on “Health and Society,” “Development and Well-being,” “Development, Economy, and Trade,” and “Interdisciplinary Policy Innovation.” They also discussed these topics with experts and scholars from different countries. Chen Zhisen, Sirapat Chongwattanaboon, and Maksymilian Szabatin, graduate students from the International Public Policy (IPP) program at Fudan University, delivered outstanding academic presentations under the guidance of the Executive Program Director of CAMPUS Asia.
During the commentary sessions, faculty advisors Zhang Ping, Zheng Bingdao, and Chen Xing of SIRPA delivered remarks on various themes. Together with scholars from the other four universities, they provided constructive and insightful feedback on students’ research. Li Yin moderated the parallel session. These thoughtful critiques enriched the students’ research perspectives and highlighted the academic contributions of Fudan scholars in risk management and interdisciplinary dialogue.
At the closing ceremony, faculty representatives from NUOL, Fudan University, Korea University, Chulalongkorn University, and Kobe University summarized the symposium’s outcomes. Vice Dean Zhang Ping encouraged promoting transnational collaboration and disciplinary advancement in risk management education through cooperation, knowledge sharing, and innovation. The event concluded in a vibrant and friendly atmosphere.
Following the symposium, Samlane Phankhavong, Laos’ Vice Minister of Education and Sports, met with faculty representatives from Fudan University, Korea University, Kobe University, Chulalongkorn University, and NUOL. In his remarks, Vice Minister Phankhavong reaffirmed CAMPUS Asia Plus’s role in advancing regional higher education cooperation, facilitating exchanges among young scholars, and elevating research on risk management. He noted that the Lao Ministry of Education will continue to support and promote collaboration with universities in China, Japan, the ROK, and ASEAN countries, and expressed his anticipation of fruitful academic interactions and talent-training outcomes for regional integration.
As the culminating event of the five-year cycle of CAMPUS Asia Plus, this symposium showcased the program’s achievements in cultivating cross-cultural talent, advancing regional risk management, and fostering academic innovation, and laid a solid foundation for sustained collaboration and future development.
