The fourth on-site Asian Animation Education Network (AAEN) took place in Thailand from January 12 to 15, 2026. Hosted by King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) at its Knowledge Exchange for Innovation Center in Bangkok and the Bang Khun Thien Campus, the program included presentations, screenings, and a cultural tour to Ayutthaya.

The first day opened with an industry talk by Veerapstra Jinanavin, CEO of RiFF Studios, followed by screenings and project presentations from five universities, showcasing 13 works in animation and digital arts. On the second day, member institutions shared outcomes from international collaborations in 2025, including joint workshops among Korea National University of Arts (K-Arts), by Tokyo University of the Arts (TUA), Communication University of China (CUC), Silpakorn University and KMUTT. The event concluded with a seminar on cultural identity in animation and animation education in the current technological environment.

Day 1

Part 1: Guest Speaker Session

Part 2: School Presentation

1)  Korea National University of Arts

2)  Tokyo University of the Arts

3)  King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi

4)  Silpakorn University

5)  Communication University of China

Day 2

Part 1: : Summery of International Activities

Part 2: Seminar

Communication University of China hosted the Korea-Japan-Thailand Tri-National Creation Workshop from October 13 to 27, 2025, at its Beijing campus. The workshop, themed “Classic Beijing, New Beijing,” aimed to create a two-way dialogue between traditional and digital civilizations.

 Students and faculty from Korea National University of Arts, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Silpakorn University, and Tokyo University of the Arts were invited to create individual or team projects of their choice.

The workshop consisted of three phases. From October 14 to 18, participants explored Old Beijing by visiting historical sites including the Palace Museum, Hutong Museum, and the Great Wall. At the end of this first phase, humanities scholar Ning Shi delivered a lecture titled “The Beijing Central Axis and Its Associated Culture.”

From October 19 to 22, participants experienced New Beijing through visits to the 798 Art District and the Capital Museum. On October 20, Professor Yuji Zhou of Beijing Union University, College of Arts, gave a lecture titled “New Beijing: Beyond the Forbidden City – The Transformation of the Capital in the 21st Century.”

From October 23 to 26, participants developed their individual or team projects based on their field research and discussions. The results were presented on the morning of October 27.

Beyond the Frame : Bridging Asia and Europe in Animation Education 

In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the School of Film, TV and Multimedia at the Korea National University of Arts, the Department of Animation organized an International Animation Conference to reflect on the 15-year achievements of the CAMPUS Asia consortium (up to Mode 3) and to connect them with the future global expansion of Mode 4.

The conference aimed to bridge Asia’s leading CAMPUS Asia joint education program with Europe’s ELIA (European League of Institutes of the Arts), inviting top animation schools from both regions to discuss forward-looking, advanced, and internationally collaborative approaches to animation education.

From August 4 to 8, 2025, a joint workshop was held at the Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts for animation and design students from Japan and Korea. Participants from both countries formed mixed groups and created short animations inspired by the local context of Okinawa.

Prior to the workshop, 22 students researched the theme of “Chura” and Okinawan culture, submitting their own interpretations of “Chura.” Upon arrival, the students attended a lecture on Okinawan History and Culture by Professor Nakamoto Masaru and began discussions on their team projects.

On the second day, four teams went on field trips to collect visual and audio materials. On the third day, after a lecture on Animation and Traditional Culture by Professor Yamamura Koji, the four teams presented their project plans. Finally, on the fourth day, each team showcased its completed animation at the final presentation.

Organized by Agency for Cultural Affairs (Government of Japan) and Korea National University of Arts
Operated by Tokyo University of the Arts and Korea National University of Arts
Secretariat: UNIJAPAN and Korea National University of Arts

STAFF

Chungkang College of Cultural Industries

KIM Yunkyoung | Professor
YI Suyeon | Staff / Foundation of Industrial-Academic Cooperation

Korea National University of Arts

LEE Jungmin | Professor
KWAK Youngjin | Professor
LEE Kyunghwa | CAMPUS Asia Coordinator
OH Sang-a | CAMPUS Asia Coordinator

Tokyo University of the Arts

OKAMOTO Mitsuko | Professor
YAMAMURA Koji | Professor
EGUCHI Asako | Project Associate Professor
ITO Keigo | Assistant Professor
FURUKAWAHARA Momoka | Research Assistant
MATSUMOTO Iyo | Research Assistant

Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts

NAKAMOTO Masaru | Professor
MATAYOSHI Hiroshi | Professor

UNIJAPAN

KOMATSU Machiko | staff

Related link

Go to “2025 Co-work participants and their results”

King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi invited, Korea National University of Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts, Communication University of China and Silpakorn University to organize a workshop, showcases, and seminar aimed at fostering cultural exchange among Korea, Japan, China, and Thailand through collaborative work by students and professors from each participating country.

Part 1: Co-work: Continuing Traditions

Part 2: AAEN Student Works

• Korea National University of Arts
• Tokyo University of the Arts
• Silpakorn University
• King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi
• Communication University of China

Part 3: Animation and Digital Art Education in the Intelligentization Trend

Related link

Go to “2024 Co-work participants and their results”