Regional Leaders Emphasize the Importance of Digital Skills and Industry Ties

Over 90 Exhibitors Showcase at ASEAN Universities Exhibition and Forum 2025

In a landmark event for the higher education sector, the ASEAN Universities Exhibition and Forum 2025 (AEF2025) was convened in Kuala Lumpur, bringing together regional stakeholders with the collective objective of enhancing collaboration and fostering meaningful partnerships. This forum provided a dynamic platform for deliberating the future of higher education within the ASEAN region. Novie Tajuddin, the Chief Executive Officer of Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS), delivered a compelling address to the attendees, emphasizing Asia's burgeoning role as a formidable contender poised to challenge the traditional "big four" study destinations. This gathering underscored the region's unwavering commitment to advancing educational standards and fortifying international ties within the academic sphere.

The event featured over 90 exhibitors, comprising universities from Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Timor-Leste. Tajuddin underscored the importance of regional cooperation for Asian institutions to achieve global success. Notably, in January 2025, Malaysia assumed the rotating ASEAN chairmanship. Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir, Malaysia's Minister of Higher Education, highlighted the nation's role in bridging ASEAN universities, governments, and industries, thereby ensuring education remains central to regional progress.

At the event, Dr. Zambry, a former international student, articulated his vision for Malaysia and the region. He accentuated the significance of digital transformation and artificial intelligence in the evolving higher education sector. Dr. Zambry emphasized the necessity of continuous upskilling, an inclusive education system, and robust industry-academic collaboration to prepare graduates for an ever-changing global landscape. He noted that ASEAN universities, particularly those in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia, have garnered global recognition, with several others making substantial progress.

Dr. Zambry further highlighted that Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand are emerging as higher education hubs, attracting students both regionally and globally. He acknowledged that ASEAN universities are producing world-class research in fields such as science, technology, business, and the humanities, addressing global challenges. The minister stressed the imperative for ASEAN universities to collaborate to remain competitive amidst the rise of global education giants. He also expressed gratitude to EMGS and the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (MoHE) for their dedication to ensuring the success of AEF2025.

During the event, the ASEAN Global Exchange for Mobility & Scholarship (ASEAN GEMS) platform was launched to provide ASEAN students with access to scholarships and higher education opportunities. Dr. Zambry announced the availability of 300 scholarships for 2025, amounting to approximately USD 4 million, and encouraged other ASEAN universities to contribute. Additionally, the forum saw the launch of the ASEAN Student Mobility Program, in collaboration with Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) and 13 Malaysian universities. This hybrid event brought together students and industry leaders to promote innovation, leadership, and collaboration, addressing regional challenges and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. Student mobility emerged as a key topic in the leaders' speeches, with Dr. Zambry highlighting the growing popularity of Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia as preferred student destinations. He emphasized the need for policies that ensure seamless student movement, mutual recognition of academic credits across ASEAN institutions, and increased government support for mobility programs.

Dr. Zambry also underscored the importance of transnational education (TNE) for ASEAN's future, noting that branch campuses of foreign universities in Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam provide world-class education while retaining talent within the region. He emphasized that dual-degree programs, joint research, and online partnerships offer global knowledge without the necessity of leaving home. Strengthening TNE, he posited, would ensure students receive a competitive education while staying connected to the region’s cultural and economic roots. Over 10 collaborations were signed during the forum, and roundtable discussions facilitated meaningful dialogue and resolutions.

The ASEAN Universities Exhibition and Forum 2025 (AEF2025) marked a pivotal moment in regional academic cooperation, setting the stage for a future of enhanced collaboration and academic excellence.

Editor’s Note:

The ASEAN Universities Exhibition and Forum 2025 highlighted the collective efforts of ASEAN countries to improve their educational standards and build strong international partnerships. Novie Tajuddin's speech emphasized Asia’s growing importance as a strong competitor in the global academic field. This shift reflects the region's academic strengths and serves as a call for ongoing progress and innovation. The launch of the ASEAN Global Exchange for Mobility & Scholarship (ASEAN GEMS) platform and the ASEAN Student Mobility Program represents a forward-thinking approach to student mobility and international cooperation. These initiatives will provide students with opportunities to gain global knowledge while staying connected to their cultural and economic roots. Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir's focus on digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and continuous upskilling as key elements of future education is particularly significant. His vision supports the global trend toward an inclusive, industry-academic collaborative education system, preparing graduates for an ever-changing global environment.

According to Skoobuzz, as ASEAN universities continue to produce world-class research and promote innovation, the region's role in global education will continue to grow. The collaborations and resolutions made during AEF2025 reflect ASEAN's commitment to academic excellence and its determination to stay competitive globally.