HONG KONG, CHINA - Media OutReach - 11 September2018 - The Eastern Economic Forum (EEF), titled The Russian Far East: Expandingthe Range of Possibilities, is held in the port city of Vladivostok with theheads of state from China, Russia and other world leaders in attendance. Thisyear's EEF's main themes include international cooperation in the Far East,support for Investors, priorities for industry and improving living conditions inthe region.

Dr Charles CHEN Yidan delivered keynote address about the internationalization of education at the Eastern Economic Forum

Dr Charles CHEN Yidan, CoreFounder of Tencent Holdings Limited and Founder of the Yidan Prize, the largestglobal prize in education, delivered a keynote address about the internationalizationof education.

The internationalization ofeducation has seen a rapid development in the past 20 years. In his speech, DrCHEN remarked on globalization, new market-driven demands, changes inconsumption patterns and greater need for flexibility, which are spurringbroader cooperation in education and encouraging its internationalization.

Dr Chencommented: "A vigorous market demand for talent has forced the education sectorto adjust, leading it to undergo rapid development. Transnational distancelearning, enabled by the rise of the Internet, can help meet the public's variedneeds."  

He called for greater cooperation in sharing bestpractices to help distinct educational systems find the best approaches toaddressing pressing issues. Sharing proven practices more widely would alsohelp improve educational outcomes for a greater number of people. Rewardingbest practices in education research and educational development and shining alight on them helps improve educational outcomes around the world. This is a keymission of the Yidan Prize, which will announce its 2018 laureates on 16September 2018 in Hong Kong.

Advancing the internationalization ofeducation is an important goal for both the Yidan Prize and the Worldwide Educating forthe Future Index,the first comprehensive global index to evaluate inputs to education systemsrather than outputs such as test scores. The latest findings of this index willbe unveiled at the Yidan Prize Summit, called Educating for the Future: How?,on 10 December 2018.

Dr Chen added: "Whilethe world has reaped the benefits of transnational academic research, it isimportant to bear in mind that the purpose of education largely remainsunchanged. It is to work for the public good and to enhance socialwell-being.''