AUN’s 2023 Presidential Forum Features an Open Session Demonstrating the Responses to the Changing Tides of Global Higher Education

The AUN is gearing up to organise the highly anticipated onsite gathering, the AUN Rectors' Meeting, in Kuala Lumpur on 5 July 2023, hosted by Universiti Malaya. Presidents, Rectors, Chancellors, Vice-Chancellors from AUN Member Universities, along with invited guests, panelists, and local participants will gather to delve into the theme of "Changes in Global Higher Education and How Top Universities in ASEAN Respond". The session is expected to inspire lively exchanges of ideas among the top leaders together with the participants and shape the future of ASEAN higher education.

The highlight of the event will be the open session in the morning, which is a novel addition to the programme this year, designed to encourage meaningful discussions on compelling subjects. Scheduled from 09:00 to 12:00 (GMT+8), the session will feature distinguished speakers from diverse backgrounds, each addressing intriguing themes that resonate with the aspirations of the participating individuals.

The first session, titled "Mapping the Big Picture," will explore the overarching landscape of higher education and the role that ASEAN and the AUN can play within it. Emphasising inclusive cooperation in the era of multipolarity, the session aims to evaluate the current status of AUN's global partnerships while identifying opportunities for further growth and collaboration. The second session, titled "Meeting the Expectations of the People," aims to explore how AUN universities can meet the expectations of society through the transformative power of higher education. This session will delve into the role of education in nurturing both material progress and humanity, focusing on the skills and virtues needed to improve individuals' conditions. The third session, titled "Change is the Key," will examine how higher education, particularly within the scope of the AUN, can bring about transformative change on a global scale. 

Esteemed speakers who will take the spotlight are included in the following list:

ASEAN Secretariat

• Roger Chao, Assistant Director/Head, Education, Youth and Sports Division, the ASEAN Secretariat 

Australia

• Professor Yi-Chen Lan, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Global Development, Western Sydney University

Brunei

• Dr. Hazri Haji Kifle, Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Brunei Darussalam

Indonesia

• Prof. Reini Wirahadikusumah, Ph.D., Rector of Institut Teknologi Bandung
• Prof. dr. Ova Emilia, M.Med.Ed., Sp.OG(K)., Ph.D., Rector of Universitas Gadjah Mada

Malaysia

• Prof. Dato’ Dr. Mohd. Ekhwan Toriman, Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
• Prof. Dato’ Ir. Dr. Mohd. Hamdi Abd. Shukor, Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaya

Singapore

• Prof. Tan Eng Chye, President of National University of Singapore

Thailand

• Prof. Dr. Bundhit Eua-arporn, President of Chulalongkorn University
• Prof. Pongrak Sribunditmongkol, M.D., Ph.D., President of Chiang Mai University

The Philippines

• Fr Roberto Yap SJ, President of Ateneo de Manila University

Viet Nam

• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Hai Quan, Chancellor of Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City

Overall, the AUN Rector's Meeting is poised to be an intellectually stimulating event that brings together leaders and experts in higher education to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing universities in the ASEAN region. This special session, featuring thought-provoking themes and diverse perspectives, will contribute to a robust exchange of ideas and pave the way for collaborative efforts to shape the future of higher education in the ASEAN community.