ACPCS Returns After a Three-Year Hiatus
Planning and Coordination Division
PARK Jihee
The Year 2023 Marks the 16th Iteration of the Capacity-Building Program
The Asian Cooperation Program on Conservation Science(ACPCS) has resumed in 2023 following a three-year hiatus. ACPCS is a training program in Korea that invites active members of cultural and natural heritage specialists from Asia. Over the years, the NRICH has expanded its influence in the area of cultural and natural heritage throughout the Asia-Pacific region. ACPCS successfully facilitated the
growth of 113 participants from 19 countries in its 25 past iterations. The program now encompasses a wide range of fields, including conservation science, archaeology, architecture, art, and natural heritage. A significant number of participants have advanced to managerial positions in national organizations, undertaking crucial responsibilities in their respective countries.
The program began with visits to Republic of Korea’s World Heritage Sites, such as Bulguksa Temple and Yangdong Village in Gyeongju. The excursions were followed by ten weeks of collaborative research, culminating in a successful final presentation. The NRICH initiative aims to enhance global cooperation with partners worldwide while providing ongoing support to program participants. Participants are expected to contribute significantly to the conservation and management of cultural heritage in their respective countries, drawing inspiration from past participants.
A Global Network of Specialists in Cultural and Natural Heritage
The 2023 ACPCS began from May 8 to July 21, spanning 11 weeks. This year’s two participants are from national institutions in Cambodia and Mongolia. Yong Rotanak, an architectural conservator from Cambodia’s Division of Conservation and Renovation Office under the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, conducted research on how to conserve and restore historical sites 3 in Cambodia. The NRICH Research Division of Architectural Heritage contributed jointly to developing a methodological approach for architectural conservation and restoration. Meanwhile, Baasankhu Soyol, from the Institute of Paleontology of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences, collaborated with the NRICH Natural
Heritage Division on analyzing and processing Mongolian fossils preserved in Korea.
