International Activities
Attending 15th ICEI Statutory Meeting in Manila, Philippines
Overview
The 15th Annual Statutory Meeting of the ICA Asia-Pacific Committee on Co-operatives in Educational Institutions (ICEI) took place on November 7, 2023, in Manila, Philippines, marking the second consecutive year of face-to-face proceedings, following the previous year's event in New Delhi, India. National Federation of University Co-operative Associations (NFUCA) delegates attended the event, along with 12 participants hailing from seven countries.
ICEI comprises 22 members from 13 countries, with the addition of three new members from the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam in 2023, underscoring the growing enthusiasm and dedication towards cooperative education in the region. Established in 2008 during the ICA-AP Regional Assembly in Hanoi, Vietnam, the ICEI—previously known as the ICA-AP Committee on University/Campus Cooperatives—aims to promote the development of cooperatives within educational institutions, such as universities, colleges, and high schools, through active participation from teachers, staff, and students, with the broader goal of contributing to the advancement of higher education.
2022-2024 ICEI Office Bearers
2022-2024 ICEI Office membership status
About Meeting
In the session on country reports, each country provided a detailed status update, with NFUCA delivering a presentation on our response to the pandemic in Japanese universities. NFUCA's insights covered the initiatives to revitalize univ co-ops such as comprehensive review of the management structure and improving student support initiatives. Looking towards FY 2024, NFUCA also highlighted efforts to promote the value of having a university co-op on campus and to strengthen member support.
NFUCA presentation by Mr. Takayuki Shimura
NFUCA presentation
Summary of FY 2023 Activities
- Seminar in Partnership with the Shri Ram College of Commerce (University of Delhi, India) (December 2022)
“Cooperative Business and Opportunities for Youth Entrepreneurship in Asia and Pacific” - 14th ICEI Annual Statutory Meeting in New Delhi, India (December 2022)
- Webinar on the World Teachers Day (October 2023)
“Teachers in the World of Cooperatives” - Online meetings
- Office Bearers’ meeting
- ICA-AP Consultation with Committees
- Meetings with prospective members
2024 Activity Plan
- Webinar on digital cooperative platforms for and by youth (focus on university students & teachers) in May/June.
- Collaborate and participate in environment & sustainability related activity by the ICA-AP Youth Committee in July/August.
- 16th Annual Statutory Meeting and Office Bearer elections in November/December.
- Seminar/Roundtable conference on Cooperative Identity, Branding and Advantage for Educational Institutions in November/December.
ICEI activities, previously centered around online platforms due to the pandemic, transitioned to a hybrid model of online and face-to-face engagements last year, and will continue in the same format this year. NFUCA will continue supporting ICEI activities to further the development of cooperative education in the Asia-Pacific region.
Group photo at the end of the meeting
NFUCA staff and ICA President Ariel Guarco