KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Kuala Lumpur welcomed the delegation from the Sustainable Connectivity Package – Higher Education (SCOPE-HE) for an official visit in conjunction with the Launching Ceremony of the Management of Internationalisation for University Leaders (MIUL) 2025.
The visit was held alongside the Networking Event for Southeast Asian Higher Education Institutions, themed “ConnectED: Building Partnerships for ASEAN Internationalisation.” The event aimed to fortify institutional linkages, enhance regional collaboration, and share best practices in advancing internationalisation within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) higher education landscape.
The SCOPE-HE delegation, comprising 42 representatives from various European and ASEAN countries, participated actively in the event, bringing together diverse perspectives and experiences to enrich dialogue and partnership opportunities.
The ceremony commenced with opening remarks by Professor Mohd Shafry Mohd Rahim, Vice-Chancellor of UTM, and Professor Dr. Zainal Amin Ayub, Deputy Director General of Higher Education (Academic and Research), Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (MOHE). Both leaders underscored the critical role of higher education in fostering global engagement and sustainable partnerships between ASEAN and the European Union (EU) under the Global Gateway framework.
During the programme, Dr. Frank Feulner, Team Leader of SCOPE-HE, delivered the welcome remarks, followed by a one-hour sharing session, offering participants deep insights into the ongoing EU–ASEAN collaborative efforts, particularly in advancing the Team Europe Initiative on Sustainable Connectivity. The session highlighted success stories and pathways for strengthening institutional cooperation through research, innovation, and leadership development.
Following the formal proceedings, delegates were taken on a Campus Tour of UTM Kuala Lumpur. Due to time constraints, the tour focused on two key destinations: the Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT) and the Erasmus+ Malaysia Hub, both of which exemplify UTM’s commitment to cross-border collaboration and academic excellence.
At the Erasmus+ Malaysia Hub, Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Ariffin Abu Hassan, Director of UTM International and Malaysia’s Erasmus+ National Focus Point, shared insights into the Hub’s pivotal role in coordinating Erasmus+ initiatives across Malaysian universities. He also highlighted the growing opportunities for ASEAN institutions to participate in joint research, staff mobility, and capacity-building programmes through EU–ASEAN frameworks.
The visit concluded on an inspiring note, with delegates expressing optimism for stronger academic cooperation and joint initiatives between ASEAN higher education institutions. The day’s engagements not only celebrated the spirit of partnership but also reaffirmed the shared vision of building a globally connected and resilient higher education ecosystem.
About SCOPE-HE
The Sustainable Connectivity Package – Higher Education (SCOPE-HE) is an EU-funded initiative under the EU–ASEAN Sustainable Connectivity Package that strengthens collaboration between Southeast Asian and European higher education institutions. It promotes people-to-people connectivity through internationalisation, mobility, research partnerships, and leadership development—advancing a more innovative and sustainable higher education ecosystem across ASEAN.
Source: UTM NewsHub
