Journal of Student Affairs in Africa | Volume 5(1) 2017, 85–87 | 2307-6267 | DOI: 10.24085/jsaa.v5i1.2486 85 www.jsaa.ac.za * Dr Lisa Bardill Moscaritolo serves as Associate Vice President and Dean for Students at Pace University, New York, USA. She is also a founding member and general secretary of IASAS. ** Dr Kathleen Callahan is Lecturer for Leadership Studies at Christopher Newport University. Email: kathleen.callahan@cnu.edu Journal review Asia-Pacific Journal for Student Affairs (AJSA) Reviewed by Lisa Bardill Moscaritolo* & Kathleen Callahan** The International Association of Student Affairs and Services (IASAS) serves as a global network of student affairs and services workers that encourages sharing, cooperation, research, exchanges, and attendance at each other’s conferences. The Vice President and General Secretary of IASAS attended the 2016 Asia Pacific Student Services Association (APSSA) Conference in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Long-time colleague and past regional coordinator in Asia for IASAS, Evelyn Ariola-Songco, presented both members with a copy of the inaugural Journal of the Philippine Association of Administrators of Student Affairs (PAASA). This is the first journal in the South East Asian region and is an important first step in advancing the field. The editorial board for the Asia-Pacific Journal for Student Affairs (AJSA) is comprised of student affairs practitioners in the Philippines and although not peer-reviewed at this time, they are working to develop this journal and set high standards. Volume 1, April  2015, Institutionalizing Research in Student Affairs Administration, is a true accomplishment for the region and the field as properly noted by Ma. Paquita Diongon-Bonnet: Student affairs practitioners all over the world are selfless individuals who contribute their time and effort, as well as expertise and talent, in honing the future. Truly, we join our fellow educators who handle academics in the quest for the total development of every student whose parents entrust their formation to our institutions. (p. 1) It seems natural to provide an overview of this seminal document in this issue of the Journal of Student Affairs in Africa because of its connection with IASAS and the theme of this issue is about hearing international voices of those who work outside of Africa. From the other side of the world those who work in student affairs are similarly concerned about student success. http://www.jsaa.ac.za mailto:kathleen.callahan%40cnu.edu?subject= 86 Journal of Student Affairs in Africa | Volume 5(1) 2017, 85–87 | 2307-6267 | DOI: 10.24085/jsaa.v5i1.2486 The creation of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) has changed the landscape in higher education. Cooperation of the 10 member states is to provide for better prosperity and peace for all. In the first article the author, Ma. Paquita Diongon- Bonnet, offers a reflection on the ASEAN integration and how the skills students need to be successful after graduating from college have expanded to meet the demands of the new work force. Additionally, recommendations are provided for colleges and universities on how to effectively help students develop these employability skills. This issue also includes understanding the voices of children of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) who must leave their families to make a living outside of the Philippines. Researcher Abenir uses the Philippines as a case study and provides insight into these children’s lives, their rights, and what they believe the responsibilities of their parents should be to the family through mixed methods using surveys and text analysis. It is expected that more work opportunities abroad will be a result of the ASEAN pact. The results of this study show that a majority of children (91%) believe their migrant parent is fulfilling family obligations but that there are still some concerns regarding parents leaving for an extended time. Understanding the psychological concerns of this underrepresented group of children, who will eventually come to our campuses, will help student affairs and services respond more appropriately and provide support where needed. Research on life skills and how students gain these skills through involvement in student organisations is highlighted in the third article written by Dr Songco. These life skills will help students to become more employable post-graduation. Through the use of emotional intelligence as a framework, the researcher developed a qualitative study to observe university student organisations and life skills development in connection with these organisations, and provided recommendations based on findings. Melegrito proposes in the fourth article to provide an institutional framework to develop socially responsible students through three critical areas: spiritual enhancement, leadership formation, and social engagement. The author integrates these three areas to create a framework that, in the author’s opinion, should be considered and aligned to the goals of any new programme within various units/departments. With this framework being utilised, institutions can develop students who are civically and socially responsible. The last article in this journal, by Dr Diongon-Bonnet, is a grounded study about how the university community describes and identifies factors of quality of life including administration, faculty, and students. “Quality of life then is defined by university stakeholders as a state of human condition with a general sense of well-being, where needs are met beyond what are basic, and having internal and external resources to live a meaningful and purposeful existence” (p. 111). In addition to defining quality of life, the author found indicators of and enhancers of quality of life and provides the university sector with recommendations to each stakeholder to ensure these factors are being met. Now that the first issue has been published, Evelyn Ariola-Songco, who is part of the Editorial Board, highlighted some future plans for the Journal. The first task is to initiate a peer review process for the Journal and she noted that before the first issue was published the board had asked members of APSSA to make up a board of reviewers. There are also Lisa Bardill Moscaritolo & Kathleen Callahan: Asia-Pacific Journal for Student Affairs (AJSA) 87 plans “to have a writeshop in collaboration with APSSA-ISA. This aims to enhance the research and writing skills of student affairs practitioners” (Evelyn Ariola-Songco, personal communication, 25 May 2017). Overall, the first volume of the Asia-Pacific Journal for Student Affairs encourages administrators to engage and begin to institutionalise research with the region. This journal is a wonderful new contribution to the literature in the field of student affairs and provides perspective from our colleagues in the Asia-Pacific region.