ASEAN Policy Forum sets the stage for Higher Education Transformation

VIENTIANE, 11 November 2024 - The ASEAN Policy Forum on Higher Education 2024 officially opened today at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Vientiane, Lao PDR. The two-day event is hosted by the Ministry of Education and Sports of Lao PDR, in partnership with UNESCO and the EU-ASEAN Sustainable Connectivity Package - Higher Education Programme (SCOPE-HE), implemented by Nuffic and DAAD.

Under the theme "Moving Higher Education Forward Together: Building Resilience and Flexibility by Connecting and Including All", the forum gathers policymakers, academics, industry leaders, and international organisations from across the ASEAN region to foster collaboration and tackle the challenges facing higher education. With a focus on resilience, adaptability, and inclusivity, participants explored strategies to strengthen ASEAN higher education systems in response to rapid technological advancements, economic shifts, and environmental challenges.

The forum in Vientiane marks the beginning of an important series of policy dialogues, setting the stage for a progressive and sustained dialogue that will help ASEAN Member States and the EU work together towards building a more inclusive and connected higher education space. Over the next four years, six policy dialogues will be organised in ASEAN countries and Europe. These dialogues will cover key issues such as employability, digital skills, and sustainable education.

The opening session featured remarks from several distinguished speakers who underscored the importance of cross-regional cooperation in transforming ASEAN's higher education landscape. These included:

• Prof Dr Phout Simmalavong, Minister of Education & Sports, Lao PDR
• San Lwin, Deputy Secretary-General for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community;
• Veerle Smet, Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation to Lao PDR;
• Soohyun Kim, Regional Director, UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok; and
• Bakhodir Burkhanov, UN Resident Coordinator, Lao PDR.

Each speaker provided their unique perspective on the role of higher education in fostering sustainable development, regional integration, and resilience within ASEAN.

Throughout ASEAN, there is a need to accelerate the transformation of higher education systems to be more inclusive and learner-centered in line with Sustainable Development Goal Four (SDG4) on quality education for all. Ms. Soohyun Kim, Regional Director, UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok called for joint action to listen to youth and engage across the public and private sector: "Achieving SDG 4 requires higher education to be a cornerstone for progress, supported by a whole-of-society approach. Let's commit to making education the engine of shared prosperity and resilience."

In his opening remarks, San Lwin, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, stated, "As ASEAN continues to navigate an era marked by rapid technological advances and shifting workforce demands, the need for resilient, flexible, and inclusive higher education systems is pressing. Today's forum is a valuable opportunity to collectively address these challenges and seize new possibilities for higher education in ASEAN."

Veerle Smet, Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation to Lao PDR, said "The SCOPE Higher Education Programme, with a total funding of EUR 9.3 million, reflects our commitment to implement the ASEAN-EU Strategic Partnership (2023-2027), through the enhancement of people-to-people exchanges and cooperation in the areas of education, science and culture."

"I want to reaffirm the European Union's commitment to continuing our strong partnership with ASEAN in the field of higher education, through the SCOPE Higher Education Programme, as well as our flagship programmes Erasmus Plus and Horizon Europe. I am confident that this forum will provide a platform for meaningful dialogue, contributing to the achievement of the ASEAN Higher Education Space by 2025," Ms. Smet added.

With Laos holding the ASEAN chairmanship, this event also serves as an opportunity for the region to strengthen its collective efforts in higher education and scientific research collaboration. The forum will explore how ASEAN countries can better harness higher education to meet the demands of a rapidly changing technological landscape while ensuring equitable access for all.

Dr. Lavanh Vongkhamsane, Director General of Higher Education, Ministry of Education and Sports, Lao PDR, emphasised the importance of internationalisation efforts in higher education. He stated, "Ensuring and driving the internationalistion of higher education institutions, Lao PDR becomes true, there is a need to emphasize on student mobility, credit transfer, accreditation, recognition, and collaborative research. Furthermore, there is a need to improve and create modern university management tools and strengthen Regional Cooperation that initiatives to promote collaborative and partnership among ASEAN, European union and others stakeholders. In addition, there is a need to promote the Digital Transformation to Higher Education and support universities to establish the international course for the exchange program."

As part of this multi-year dialogue, stakeholders are expected to develop actionable policy recommendations that will shape the future of higher education in Southeast Asia, supporting the vision of the ASEAN Work Plan on Education 2021-2025 and the ASEAN-EU Strategic Partnership (2023-2027).

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