About APSSA

The Asia Pacific Student Services Association (APSSA) is an international organization with a distinctive focus on the Asia Pacific region. It is a network of student affairs professionals who are passionate about strengthening their role in tertiary education by providing positive student experiences that enhance student learning.  APSSA provides a platform for global collaboration in the field of student affairs through organizing international conferences, training programs, staff attachment programs and professional study visits through the Institute of Student Affairs (ISA).
APSSA creates networking and development opportunities to:

  • Enhance  liaison and collaboration between staff across the Asia Pacific region, and
  • Strengthen the cultural understanding and develop inter-cultural skills.
  • Assist  in developing and raising the awareness of student affairs practices to strengthen their role in tertiary education development.
  • Promote the important role that student welfare and development plays in contributing to well-rounded and successful students.

 

APSSA also provides its member institutions with outstanding opportunities to organize global mobility activities.  A student focused learning program held as part of APSSA’s International Conferences provides a form for building inter-cultural competencies, understanding, global citizenry and personal and professional capabilities.

The biennial APSSA conference plays a large part in achieving these goals by bringing together student affairs professionals and student leaders to exchange ideas and views on evolving student needs in tertiary education.

History and Governance

APSSA was established in 1988 after the Asia Pacific Student Affairs Conference organized by the Hong Kong Student Services Association, as a response from the delegates identifying the need for more collaboration among student affairs professionals and the tertiary institutions they represented.

APSSA is registered in Hong Kong as a society, with the secretariat, financial accounts and registered address in Hong Kong. The association is under the leadership of an Executive Committee whose members are elected at a general meeting held every two years.

The management of the Association is governed by the Constitution. Any changes to the constitution need to be approved by a general meeting of the members.

Leadership
One of the original founders of APSSA, Mr Luke Wong, was the first President of APSSA (1988-1990). The association is under the leadership of an Executive Committee whose members are elected at a general meeting held once every two years. Its members include a President Elect who is responsible for organizing the biennial Asia Pacific Student Affairs Conference at his/her home base. The Executive Committee meets three times in between two general meetings with expenses covered by membership subscriptions. The secretariat, based in Hong Kong, is manned by the Administrative Secretary nominated by the Hong Kong Student Services Association and appointed by the Executive Committee. By tradition, the chairman of the conference organizing committee in the host country will become the President of APSSA.

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