CTEF Academic Forum 2025: Enhancing Higher Education Through Global South Collaboration and Strategies
The Commonwealth Tertiary Education Facility (CTEF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (MoHE) and the National Higher Education Research Institute (IPPTN) at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), held the CTEF Academic Forum 2025 on June 26, 2025, at the Pulse Grande Hotel in Putrajaya. The forum focused on current trends, challenges, and strategies for fostering effective and equitable partnerships aimed at enhancing higher education in the Global South.
Participating Stakeholders
The event hosted nearly 200 participants, including academics, policymakers, and leaders from higher education institutions at both local and international levels. Associate Professor Dr. Thien Lei Mee, the Director of CTEF, delivered the opening remarks, underscoring the forum’s role in facilitating knowledge exchange and collaboration within the higher education sector.
The Importance of Education in Global Partnerships
Dr. Thien, who also serves as the Director of IPPTN, noted the critical importance of education in facilitating global partnerships and addressing the challenges faced by institutions in the Global South. These challenges include resource limitations, technological shifts, and disparities in educational access.
Opening and Closing Remarks
The forum was officially opened by Dato’ Dr. Haji Megat Sany Megat Ahmad Supian, Deputy Secretary-General (Policy) at MoHE, and concluded with remarks from Associate Professor Dr. Azidah Abu Ziden of the Academic Excellence Division at the Department of Higher Education, MoHE. Datin Noorazah Omar, Undersecretary of the International Relations Division at MoHE, also participated in the opening ceremony, where she highlighted the necessity of strengthening South-South cooperation and regional collaborations to empower higher education institutions.
Key Discussions and Topics
The forum featured two sessions aimed at provoking discussions on key topics concerning the development of higher education in the Global South. Topics included Commonwealth connections and transnational education providers, as well as redefining dependency and collaboration with the Global North. Significant discussions explored barriers to sustainable educational outcomes, various financial models, institutional development strategies, and approaches to improve educational access in underserved areas.
Commitment to Collaboration
Participants reaffirmed their commitment to fostering collaboration and addressing the challenges faced by higher education institutions. In her closing remarks, Dr. Azidah encouraged ongoing efforts to develop partnerships founded on equity, sustainability, and mutual benefit to secure long-term success in enhancing higher education within the Global South.
About CTEF
CTEF operates as a collaborative organization between MoHE and the Commonwealth Secretariat, based in London, with the objective of strengthening connections among Commonwealth countries in tertiary education development. The initiative provides policy advice and guidance to ministers responsible for higher education within the Commonwealth.
Conclusion of the Forum
The forum concluded with a strong focus on the need for continued collaboration and innovative strategies that aim to enhance accessibility and responsiveness of higher education to the evolving demands of societies in the Global South.
Source: USM News
