The United Nations Academic Impact Forum is under way in Seoul where universities from around the world are discussing how to achieve sustainable growth for developing nations.

Some 350 ranking officials from home and abroad are attending the forum including U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and president of the International Association of University Presidents J. Michael Adams.

During the forum participants will discuss eradicating poverty through development and the role of education under the theme of "New Partners for Changes: U.N. and the World Academic Community."

Secretary-General Ban gave the opening remarks for the three-day event on Wednesday and called on professors, students and the U.N. to join efforts to make a better world.

Ban launched the academic forum by declaration in 2008, urging world universities to step up to resolve poverty and educational concerns of developing countries.

Some 490 schools are involved in the forum. It's the first time for the event to be held in Asia.