AUN News

The 3rd AUN-AFS Webinar on Food Availability and Stability in the ASEAN Region explored the region’s growing vulnerability to climate change and its impact on the agricultural sector. Despite challenges faced by this sector, the third virtual event was a knowledge-sharing platform that explored adaptive measures practiced by ASEAN countries amidst the accelerating crisis. In addition to stronger policies that support the well-being of agriculture and increasing sustainable food production, experts called for joint academic programmes and research collaborations to deepen the region’s understanding of what is at stake if resilient food systems are not built.

On 11 March 2025, the second ASEAN University Network for Agriculture and Food Security (AUN-AFS) Webinar gathered representatives from higher education in ASEAN and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to address the pressing issue of food inaccessibility posed by climate change, inflation and the high reliance on food imports. Panellists emphasised the importance of supporting local farmers to reduce dependence on imports and the need for stronger collaboration between universities, research centres and policymakers in driving sustainable and inclusive solutions.

Universiti Malaya (UM) reaffirms its dedication to quality assurance and institutional excellence through the Universiti Malaya Quality Excellence Index (UMQEI). The recent webinar, held on 25 February 2025, provided key insights into UMQEI’s core and common enablers, demonstrating how continuous evaluation and improvement drive academic and operational success. Participants had the opportunity to clarify their questions and concerns, ensuring a deeper understanding of the framework. This article discovers how UM is shaping the future of higher education in ASEAN with its commitment to excellence and innovation.

Throughout the months of October to November in 2024, the Times Higher Education - ASEAN University Network (THE-AUN) tripart webinar series brought together over 1,000 participants from 523 institutions across 24 countries, strengthening institutional understanding of university rankings, sustainability, and strategic reputation management. Spanning three sessions, the series provided valuable insights into THE Impact and World University Rankings, with interactive discussions, expert-led presentations, and strong engagement from AUN member universities. With a 94% positive satisfaction rate, participants praised the webinars for their clarity, depth, and relevance, highlighting a growing interest in best practices and case studies for institutional excellence. Building on this success, AUN and THE are exploring further collaborations in 2025 to expand engagement and deepen content delivery.

Building on the success of the Inaugural ASEAN University Network for Agriculture and Food Security (AUN-AFS) Webinar Series held on 10 February 2025, this piece delves into the multifaceted challenges of food security that extends beyond food production. Ensuring a sustainable food supply is not solely about increasing the availability of food–it encompasses affordability, accessibility and adherence to safety regulations. Speakers from IPB University and Kasetsart University noted that food security measures must incorporate nutritional value as a healthy diet is essential for public health. In addition, a comprehensive approach to food education that invites cross-disciplinary research collaboration among universities is essential to strengthening consumer awareness.

The first event of the Inaugural ASEAN University Network for Agriculture and Food Security (AUN-AFS) Webinar Series held on 10 February 2025 successfully marked a significant milestone in fostering a regional dialogue on food security and agriculture in ASEAN higher education. Attracting over 800 participants from ASEAN countries, China, Guinea and Uganda, the webinar showcased remarkable diversity and representation across a broad spectrum of institutions including universities, agricultural organisations, government agencies and the medical sector. The strong engagement from students, professors, researchers and head of faculties underscores the critical role of higher education in advancing inclusive and research-driven solutions for food security and agriculture. Hosted by Universiti Putra Malaya (UPM), the webinar featured speakers from 3 ASEAN countries–Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand–who touched upon not only food security in its production phases but also accessibility, affordability and safety. A key highlight was the launch of the “UPM Blueprint on Food Security”, a strategic framework guiding the university’s initiatives in merging academic excellence among students with the necessary technological competencies to transform the agricultural community. UPM’s leadership in developing the blueprint positions the university at the forefront of agricultural and food security innovation, as well as the host institution of AUN-AFS.