The ASEAN Universities Exhibition and Forum 2025 (AEF2025), held in Kuala Lumpur, brought together regional stakeholders to enhance higher education collaboration and foster meaningful partnerships.
Delegates gathered at the forum heard from minister Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, Malaysia’s minister of higher education, who outlined his vision for Malaysia and the wider region.
In January 2025, Malaysia took over the rotating ASEAN chairmanship, for which Zambry said the country’s role is clear – “to serve as a bridge between ASEAN universities, governments, and industries, ensuring that education remains at the core of regional progress”.
Zambry, a former international student himself, emphasised the importance of digital transformation and the integration of AI as the higher education landscape evolves.
His vision prioritises continuous upskilling, a sustainable and inclusive education system, and stronger industry-academic collaboration to equip graduates for the evolving global landscape.
“Over the past decades, ASEAN universities have gained global recognition. Institutions in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia are now ranked among the best, with others making significant strides in catching up,” he said.
“Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand are establishing themselves as higher education hubs, attracting students from across the region and beyond. ASEAN universities are producing world-class research in science, technology, business, and the humanities, offering localised solutions to global challenges.”
We must work together to ensure that ASEAN universities remain competitive amidst the rise of global education giants
Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, Malaysia’s minister of higher education
“While this progress is commendable, we must work together to ensure that ASEAN universities remain competitive amidst the rise of global education giants,” the minister warned.
The minister extended his “deepest gratitude” to organisers Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) and the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (MoHE), for their “unwavering commitment” in making AEF2025 event a reality.
A key highlight of the forum was the launch of the ASEAN Student Mobility Program, in collaboration with Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) and 13 esteemed Malaysian universities. The hybrid event gathered students and industry leaders across ASEAN to carry out activities designed to foster innovation, leadership, and collaboration, while addressing regional challenges and advance the Sustainable Development Goals.
Student mobility was a key theme in Zambry’s address, particularly intra-regional mobility.
“Countries like Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia are increasingly becoming preferred destinations for students from neighbouring nations, enriching the academic landscape and fostering a stronger sense of ASEAN solidarity,” he said, pledging to advocate for policies that facilitate seamless student movement, establish mutual recognition of academic credits across ASEAN institutions, and enhance government support for mobility programs.
Zambry acknowledged another key aspect of ASEAN’s higher education future – transnational education (TNE).
“The establishment of branch campuses of foreign universities in Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam has provided world-class education while retaining talent within ASEAN,” he told delegates.
“Dual-degree programs, joint research collaborations, and online education partnerships offer students access to global knowledge while remaining in their home countries. By strengthening transnational education, we ensure that our students receive a globally competitive education while staying rooted in ASEAN’s rich cultural and economic landscape.”
Elsewhere, throughout the forum, over 10 collaborations were signed between universities across ASEAN, while roundtable discussions fostered meaningful dialogue and led to the drafting of resolutions.
Delegates were addressed by Novie Tajuddin, CEO of EMGS, who reinforced Asia’s position as a rising contender set to challenge the traditional ‘big four’ study destinations.
With around 90 exhibitors from countries including Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines, and Vietnam, Tajuddin stressed the importance of working together to ensure Asian institutions thrive on the world stage.
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