Dr. Ivo Ganchev Participates in International Panel on Higher Education Reform in China
On 31 March 2025, Dr. Ivo Ganchev, Founding Director of the Centre for Regional Integration, joined an international focus group panel hosted by the Faculty of Education at Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok. The seminar brought together leading educators and experts to evaluate innovative strategies for higher education reform in China, with a particular focus on enhancing academic governance, interdisciplinary pedagogy, and skill-based curriculum design for private higher education institutions in Sichuan.
The panel featured representatives from a range of international institutions, including Dr. Esther Pascual and Dr. Pietro Borsano from Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, among others. Each participant addressed key policy and institutional challenges related to the implementation of newly developed educational modules aimed at fostering agile skills, experiential learning, and AI-enhanced assessment.
Drawing on his experience advising Chinese universities and multinational institutions, Dr. Ganchev responded to two key questions:
1. What policy shifts are needed at the institutional level to support innovation in academic governance?
2. How can strategic synthesis and adaptive leadership be cultivated through cross-disciplinary education?
In addition, he offered insights into the roles of various policy-making levels and assessed how institutions might respond to proposed innovations in education. He highlighted the importance of learning from best global practices while remaining attentive to local needs. Dr. Ganchev emphasized that certain Chinese universities, which are only now picking up pace, have a unique opportunity to leapfrog traditional barriers and integrate advanced technologies without the need to overhaul legacy systems.
He also pointed to the increasing relevance of university–industry partnerships in driving innovation and employment outcomes, and proposed adapting elements of the UK’s emphasis on transferrable skills to ensure graduates are equipped with competencies that are flexible, cross-disciplinary, and aligned with future labor market demands. These lessons, he noted, are broadly applicable to other Southeast Asian countries like Thailand and beyond, where universities are striving to meet global standards while developing innovative educational models.
Reflecting on the event, Dr. Ganchev stated:
“It was a privilege to take part in such a forward-looking dialogue. I appreciated the opportunity to share ideas and learn from colleagues working across different systems and regions. These exchanges are essential for shaping innovative, responsive, and globally relevant models of education.”
To watch earlier recordings of Dr. Ganchev speaking on other topics, visit the Watch section of this website.
