As the ASEAN Chair for 2025, Malaysia, through Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS), has organized several initiatives to strengthen ties among ASEAN universities, academics, and student bodies. Among them is the ASEAN Mobility Programme 2025, which ran from 11-25 February. The participants were hosted by 13 different universities, including Sunway University!
ASEAN Mobility Programme 2025 Sunway University
Sunway University received a group of 21 students, representing 18 universities across ASEAN. When you include Sunway University’s Student Buddies, this means that students from 19 different universities were in a room at once! This served as a terrific platform for conversations on culture, the sharing of ideas, and the formation of some heartwarming friendships. The students were also given a tour of the campus and Sunway City, which they thoroughly enjoyed. They even had the chance to experience traditional Malaysian culture, participating in Waye Kito, the Wayang Kulit Kelantan Festival and learning to play traditional Malay games.
The students were also treated to a special lecture on ASEAN by Mr Danial Rahman of ASLI (Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute), titled Empowering ASEAN’s Next Generation of Leaders. They then had the chance to engage in a session with Prof. Mahendhiran Sanggaran Nair, Sunway University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor of Research and Sustainability. Prof. Mahendhiran- delivered a talk on the current challenges faced by ASEAN, including climate change and sustainability, as well as what we can do to create an ‘ASEAN Identity’.
The University also helped the students prepare for the ASEAN Future Innovators Challenge, where students were tasked with the creation of a 3-minute video to present during the ASEAN Universities Exhibition And Forum 2025 (AEF2025) at Sunway Resort Hotel. The objective of the challenge was to address pressing issues in ASEAN with input from the lens of future leaders. Leading academics from Sunway Business School, the School of Medical and Life Sciences, the School of Engineering and Technology, the School of Arts and the Centre for English Language Studies acted as mentors for the students, guiding them in their preparation. The University also hosted workshops on basic video shooting and editing, creative video storytelling, and consultation sessions with mentors. Some of the unique ideas they came up with were:
- EMO – AI-powered mental health support for children, using facial and voice recognition.
- InterNex ASEAN – A platform connecting ASEAN talent with remote internships and cultural exchanges.
- ABRAT – A blockchain-driven trade and regulatory authority to reduce bureaucratic hurdles.
- iSEAYOUth – A job-matching platform enhancing career mobility and access across ASEAN.
- ASEAN Wave – An AI-powered ocean monitoring system to predict disasters and protect marine life.
ASEAN Universities Exhibition and Forum 2025 (AEF2025)
The programme was capped by the dazzling ASEAN Universities Exhibition and Forum 2025, hosted at Sunway Resort Hotel. AEF2025, the inaugural and largest university exhibition in ASEAN, featured more than 90 exhibitors, including higher education institutions from Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Timor-Leste. And of course, Sunway University was proudly present with our own exhibition booth! The event allowed the participants to learn more about the leading universities in ASEAN, exploring avenues for their future education.
Besides this, the event also consisted of several seminars and forums, allowing for an exchange of ideas and information. Among the topics discussed were the navigation of economic challenges in ASEAN, the ASEAN workforce in Industry 5.0, and talent readiness in ASEAN.
Adding to the vibrancy of the event were mesmerising cultural dance performances that showcased the rich heritage of ASEAN nations. These performances celebrated the region’s diversity and provided attendees with a deeper appreciation of its cultural wealth.
The exhibition also featured addresses and keynote speeches by several figures of note, including:
- Mr Novie Tajuddin (Chief Executive Officer of Education Malaysia Global Services)
- YB Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr Zambry Abd Kadir (Minister of Higher Education, Malaysia)
- Hons. Dr Marita R. Canapi (Commissioner of The Commission on Higher Education, Republic of Philippines)
The ASEAN Mobility Programme 2025 at Sunway University was a journey of learning, culture, and connection. From insightful lectures to hands-on challenges, students tackled real ASEAN issues while forming lifelong friendships. Sunway University was proud to be part of the student’s growth—shaping the leaders who will define ASEAN’s future.
