Bridging ASEAN and Beyond: UTM Hosts Landmark Ambassadors’ Roundtable and Launches Erasmus+ Malaysia Hub

Su Zalpha

KUALA LUMPUR, July 3 — In a landmark step towards strengthening regional collaboration and advancing education diplomacy, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) successfully hosted the Ambassadors’ Roundtable for ASEAN 2025 at the Grand Banquet Hall, UTM Hotel & Residence, Kuala Lumpur. This high-level forum, held as part of Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2025 initiatives, convened over 169 distinguished participants, including ambassadors from Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, the European Union (EU) and other foreign nations, academia, government officials, and international thought leaders.

Carrying the theme “Bridging Nations, Connecting Regions: Higher Education for ASEAN Unity,” the roundtable served as a timely platform to discuss the role of higher education in fostering regional solidarity, sustainable growth, and cross-border cooperation.

The roundtable provided an exclusive platform for ambassadors and senior policymakers to engage in an in-depth dialogue on the intersection of higher education, diplomacy, and regional priorities. Key areas of discussion included digital transformation, sustainability imperatives, planetary health, ethics in international cooperation, and youth mobility.

In his welcoming address, UTM Vice Chancellor, Professor Dr. Mohd Shafry Mohd Rahim, emphasized that universities must transcend their traditional roles as centres of learning to become catalysts for regional integration and global citizenship.

“Higher education today must not merely produce knowledge; it must connect nations,” said Professor Shafry. “The ASEAN Community Vision 2045 aspires for a peaceful, inclusive, and innovative region. Realising this shared future requires universities to act as connectors of students, of ideas, of regions, and ultimately, of destinies.”

He further described the Ambassadors’ Roundtable as a “living embodiment of diplomacy through knowledge,” reinforcing UTM’s commitment to positioning higher education as a platform for peacebuilding, resilience, and innovation.

A Historic Gathering for ASEAN Unity : Ambassadors’ Roundtable for ASEAN 2025 at UTM Hotel & Residence

The Launch of the Erasmus+ Malaysia Hub: A Historic Milestone

The centrepiece of the day’s proceedings was the official launch of the Erasmus+ Malaysia Hub, a joint initiative officiated by Malaysia’s Minister of Higher Education, YB Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry Abd. Kadir, and His Excellency Rafael Daerr, Ambassador, Delegation of the EU to Malaysia.

The Erasmus+ Malaysia Hub represents a historic milestone for Malaysia and the wider ASEAN region, as UTM has been designated Malaysia’s first Erasmus+ National Focal Point (ENFP) by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE). This prestigious appointment recognises UTM’s exemplary leadership in internationalisation, transnational partnerships, and global educational outreach.

In his keynote remarks, Minister Zambry highlighted the importance of ASEAN unity in navigating the challenges of the 21st century, particularly in the face of technological disruption, geopolitical realignments, and sustainability imperatives.

“We are gathered here today not simply as institutions, but as architects of a shared regional destiny,” said the Minister. “In a time of disruption and division, higher education must emerge as a unifying force nurturing shared values and fostering cross-border academic synergy in alignment with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.”

The Symbolic Launch of the Erasmus+ Malaysia Hub at UTM International Kuala Lumpur marking new chapter in International Collaboration

His Excellency Rafael Daerr further underlined the long-standing success and transformative potential of the Erasmus+ programme.

“The Erasmus+ programme has already connected over 3,000 Malaysian and European participants, catalysing enduring partnerships and people-to-people diplomacy,” he remarked. “The establishment of the Erasmus+ Malaysia Hub deepens our commitment to sustainability, equity, and research innovation — while reinforcing our shared belief in the power of education to bridge continents and shape resilient societies.”

The roundtable also provided an opportunity to reflect on the profound legacy of the Erasmus+ programme in Europe, which, over the past three decades, has enabled more than 13 million students, educators, and youth to engage in international mobility and cross-cultural learning.

Erasmus+ is more than just an education funding mechanism — it is a blueprint for people-to-people diplomacy, trust-building, and transnational cooperation. The programme has successfully demonstrated how academic exchanges can foster political trust, cultural empathy, and regional cohesion.

UTM’s role as the national focal point is poised to further amplify these achievements by expanding equitable access to international mobility, fostering deeper institutional linkages, and creating inclusive platforms for students and educators across the region.

“This is not merely a recognition — it is a responsibility,” noted Professor Shafry. “UTM is honoured to lead Malaysia’s Erasmus+ engagements, and we are committed to expanding opportunities for academic cooperation that transcend borders and transform lives.”

The forum emphasised that bridging nations requires more than the physical movement of students. What is critically needed is the “mobility of minds” — an intellectual openness, a cultural empathy, and a genuine willingness to learn from diverse perspectives.

“Physical movement is temporary, but the transformation of mind and spirit is lasting,” remarked Professor Dr. Mohd Shafry Mohd Rahim. “If we are to build a resilient ASEAN, we must begin by nurturing minds that are free to see beyond borders.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Ariffin Abu Hassan (second from right), Director of UTM International, sharing insights on the Erasmus+ Malaysia Hub with H.E. Rafel Daerr (standing on left)

The Ambassadors’ Roundtable served as a call to action for the region to move collectively towards the establishment of an ASEAN Higher Education Area, modelled after the European Higher Education Area.

A key takeaway from the roundtable was the necessity of embedding lifelong learning into the fabric of ASEAN’s educational landscape. The Ambassadors’ Roundtable directly supports the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia’s ambition to position the country as a premier global education hub. It also aligns with UTM’s Global Plan 2025, which prioritises international visibility, strategic partnerships, and world-class academic excellence.

The distinguished Panelists and Moderator of ART for ASEAN 2025 : (from left) H.E. Maria A. Ponce, H.E. Rafael Daerr, Prof. Dr. Shamsul Sahibuddin, and H.E. Lada Phumas.

The event builds upon the success of UTM’s earlier Ambassador GlobaLecture Series and reinforces the university’s unique role as a bridge between diplomatic missions, global universities, and international students.

Through initiatives such as the Ambassador GlobaLecture series and the newly launched Erasmus+ Malaysia Hub, UTM continues to play a leading role in enhancing the relationship between universities, international diplomatic missions, and global academic networks.

The Ambassadors’ Roundtable for ASEAN 2025 and the launch of the Erasmus+ Malaysia Hub stand as a testament to the power of collective vision and academic diplomacy in shaping a future that transcends borders and unites communities.

The event concluded with a powerful reminder that education is the most valuable investment in building peace, resilience, and regional trust.

“Let ASEAN and Europe walk this path hand in hand — not just as regions of the past, but as co-authors of the future,” said YB Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry Abd. Kadir.

UTM is proud to lead this journey, championing education that connects not just universities, but nations, hearts, and minds.