(first published here: Korea.net)

The nation saw the successful ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit and the 1^st Mekong-ROK Summit last week held in Busan from November 25-27, 2019. It was a glorious time for the Moon administration especially as this was the biggest diplomatic event since President Moon Jae-in assumed the Presidency.

For an event of this magnitude, the government extended its arms to reach out for help to various agencies, government units and even private companies to come together and ensure the events’ success. And success was manifested from a holistic view, so it catered and satisfied diplomatic relationship, business goals, tourism targets and academic partnerships.

In the field of the academe, the Council of ASEAN Professors in Korea or CAPK is in an immensely prominent position to lead the ASEAN professors currently teaching here in Korea as well as a big population of  students studying here either as undergraduate or graduate students and even those taking doctoral degrees. Since its inception in 2018, CAPK has played an advisory role among ASEAN professors here in Korea and has been a valuable resource of the ASEAN-Korea Centre (AKC). CAPK has the full support of Secretary-General Lee Hyuk as he believes the members of the academe play a pivotal role in the end-goal of mutual understanding between and among ASEAN and ASEAN-ROK people exchanges.

I had the chance to interview the Founder and President of CAPK, Prof. Joeffrey Maddatu Calimag, Ph.D., SCPM. He is currently a Professor of International Business and Global Management at the College of Business Administration at the University of Ulsan. Professor Calimag first came to Korea in 2002 as a Global Ambassador Fellow at the KDI School of Public Policy and Management and graduated with a Master’s Degree in Public Policy with concentrations in Economics and Public Policy, and International Relations and Political Economy. He then proceeded to obtain his Executive MBA at the Helsinki School of Economics, earned his SCPM from Stanford University, and got his Ph.D. at Hanyang University.

The following are excerpts of the interview with Prof. Calimag:

What inspired you to create the CAPK?

It all started at a reception dinner in April 2018 by Jessy Yeunju Jang, acting secretary general of the ASEAN-ROK Centre. She said we, as ASEAN professors in Korea, play a crucial role in facilitating a stronger partnership between ASEAN and Korea, especially in education exchanges. I gave a presentation on a clear picture of teaching in Korea as an ASEAN professor and how we can contribute to national development.

What is the mission of CAPK?

Beginning from an initiative of the ASEAN-Korea Centre (AKC), CAPK was formed as an advisory committee among professors from ASEAN countries who are currently working in Korea. The mission of CAPK is to enhance the awareness of ASEAN countries among Koreans  to build stronger relationships between Korea and respective ASEAN countries, particularly through the members’ positions as academics in Korea.

What are the programs of CAPK?

Since the inception of the CAPK towards the end of 2018, we were able to connect the council to Korean government agencies such as the International Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Education of Korea. We are also active as advisors and judges in various programs organized by the AKC. We conducted a seminar-workshop for academics and researchers earlier this year, provided information for grant opportunities and among others. For next year, CAPK is elevating and I would say a little bit ambitious to produce a book that answers one question, which is, “Who are ASEANs in Korea?” This publication will answer all sorts of relevant questions. And at the same time, we will have a sequel of conferences we already started with a plan to have an international conference. Of course, we will also expose our members to different Korean government ministries and agencies as part of our team building.

How is CAPK relevant to President Moon’s policies and the summit?

Adopting from the text of my speech during CAPK’s inauguration last August 28, 2019, I reiterated, “ASEAN as a region is an important partner of Korea in pursuing progress and further growth by cultivating their synergies and complementing each other’s strengths. More significantly, the New Southern Policy of President Moon Jae In, compels us to be more active in capturing these opportunities and seizing threats that may go along with the growing and stiffer global competition, while building on our strengths and reassessing our shortcomings.

Moreover, I would also share what the Secretary-General say about the role of CAPK in ASEAN-Korea relations. Lee Hyuk noted that, “As different layers of people-to-people exchanges among ASEAN and Korean people burgeon with the deepening   of ASEAN-Korea relations, CAPK could play an active and significant role in the intellectual society of the two sides which can influence their students and general public in the long run. ASEAN professors in Korea will contribute to public diplomacy efforts to deepen the understanding of ASEAN and ASEAN-Korea relations among Koreans, expand the network of professors and researchers in ASEAN and Korea, and stimulate future scholars in ASEAN to join the community to do research and teach in Korea.”