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Malaysia Has Proposed To Set Up ASEAN Institute
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek (right) and Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir pose for a photo before attending the ASEAN Education Ministers' Roundtable (#EduRoundtables2025) and related events held here today. -- fotoBERNAMA (2025) COPYRIGHT RESERVED
LANGKAWI, June 19 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has proposed the establishment of an ASEAN Institute to consolidate expertise across various fields among member countries in the region.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir stated that this proposal was among the topics discussed during the ASEAN Higher Education Ministers' Roundtable here today.
"Although certain countries have conducted studies at their respective university levels, there isn't a more comprehensive institute for all ASEAN member states," he said at a press conference after the roundtable here today.
He added that Malaysia has offered to host this ASEAN Institute, given the country's expertise, including through the Institute of Malaysian and International Studies (IKMAS) at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
Furthermore, he noted that the roundtable also discussed student and academic mobility within the region, including exchange programs that would allow foreign lecturers to teach at educational institutions in Malaysia.
"Additionally, we also agreed to establish a body to manage scholarship matters, namely ASEAN-GEMS. This platform will be utilized to seek financial resources among ASEAN member states to provide scholarships," he said.
The ASEAN Global Exchange for Mobility and Scholarship (AEAN GEMS) is a one-stop platform for information about regional scholarship and mobility programs throughout the ASEAN region that was launched tonight.
This initiative will, among other things, provide access to opportunities and scholarship offers for all ASEAN students, while also supporting regional integration by encouraging youth mobility and cross-border academic exchanges.
Zambry further mentioned that other matters discussed included proposals to establish networks and collaborative platforms among ASEAN higher education institutions, and to ensure that all discussion outcomes are elevated to the ASEAN Heads of State Meeting in October.
