International Forum on Higher Education Innovation 2025 Held Online with Delegates from Four Countries
17 November 2025 | Online Mode
The International Forum on Innovation and Challenges in Higher Education 2025: Perspectives from the Global South was successfully organised on 17 November 2025 by Teerthanker Mahaveer University (India), Konsortium Universiti Universitas Borneo (KUUB), and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). The virtual forum witnessed enthusiastic participation from academics and experts representing India, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei Darussalam, marking a significant step toward strengthening cross-border cooperation in higher education.
Pre-Event & Opening Session
Participants joined the digital platform from 10:00 AM IST, followed by technical orientation and registration.
The formal opening began at 10:40 AM, led by Dr Jee Teck Weng (Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak; KUUB National Coordinator, Malaysia). He emphasised the shared educational aspirations of Global South nations and highlighted the growing importance of policy integration, digital transformation, and collaborative innovation in strengthening regional higher education frameworks.
Technical Sessions: Expert Insights from the Global South
Session 1 (11:00 AM – 11:30 AM)
Prof. Dr Shahrul Razid Sarbini
Topic: “Comparative Policy Analysis for Regional Cooperation: Focused on BIMP-EAGA Countries and Best Practices”
Prof. Shahrul (UPM Sarawak) delivered a comparative study of the education policies of BIMP-EAGA nations—Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
Key insights included:
- Academic mobility schemes
- Regional accreditation initiatives
- Joint research in sustainability, agriculture & community development
- Best practices in harmonising academic standards
He emphasised that regional cooperation is essential to strengthen the global competitiveness of Southeast Asian institutions.
Session 2 (11:30 AM – 12:00 Noon)
Prof. (Dr.) Manjula Jain
Topic: “Reimagining Higher Education Through NEP 2020: India’s Pathway to Global Competitiveness”
Prof. Manjula Jain, Dean Academics, TMU, provided an extensive analysis of India’s National Education Policy (NEP 2020) and its transformational impact on Indian higher education.
Key elements covered:
- Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP)
- Multidisciplinary and holistic learning
- Skill-based education and employability
- Academic Bank of Credits
- Research and innovation ecosystem
- India’s growing alignment with global education standards
Her session positioned NEP 2020 as a critical platform for India’s global academic expansion.
Session 3 (12:00 PM – 12:30 PM)
Dr. Irman Irawan
Topic: “Bridging Knowledge and Society: Innovation Pathways for Inclusive Higher Education”
Representing Universitas Mulawarman, Indonesia, Dr Irman highlighted the significance of community-linked innovation.
Key points included:
- Community-engaged research
- Social innovation labs
- Inclusive curriculum development
- Outreach in underserved regions
- Community empowerment through university initiatives
He stressed that innovation must be rooted in societal needs to ensure equitable development.
Session 4 (12:30 PM – 1:00 PM)
Dr Nor Azura Hj. Abdullah
Topic: “Balancing the Innovation Ecosystem: Higher Education Context”
Dr Azura (Universiti Brunei Darussalam) examined how universities can sustain a balanced innovation ecosystem.
Key observations:
- Institutional strategy for innovation sustainability
- Capacity building for faculty & students
- Leveraging digital tools
- Industry–academia collaboration
- Balancing growth with infrastructure and policy
She emphasised that innovation requires coordinated leadership, culture, and resources, not just the adoption of technology.
Panel Discussion & Interactive Q&A (1:00 PM – 1:30 PM)
Moderated by Dr Jee Teck Weng, the cross-country panel addressed contemporary challenges such as:
- Digital divide in Global South countries
- Integrating AI and digital learning
- Ensuring quality assurance in expanding systems
- Internationalisation and regional cooperation
- Managing innovation with limited resources
- Preparing students for Industry 4.0 and beyond
The session was highly interactive, with participants from all four countries engaging in discussion.
Addresses by Dignitaries
Dr Neha Anand (1:30 PM – 1:35 PM)
Assistant Director Academics, TMU
She reaffirmed TMU’s commitment to global partnerships, NEP 2020 implementation, and cross-border collaboration. She acknowledged the fruitful partnerships with KUUB and UPM, emphasising the importance of long-term academic cooperation.
Dr Keeren Rajoo Sundra (1:35 PM – 1:40 PM)
Program Director, UPM
Dr Keeren highlighted UPM’s dedication to expanding research clusters, faculty exchanges, and joint academic initiatives. He emphasised the importance of sustained digital innovation and student mobility throughout the Global South.
Assoc. Prof. Dr Noorasmah Saupi (1:40 PM – 1:50 PM)
Dean, Faculty of Agricultural & Forestry Sciences, UPM Sarawak
She praised the forum for strengthening India–Malaysia academic ties and emphasised the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, sustainable research, and regional cooperation in higher education.
Closing Remarks by the Moderator (1:50 PM – 2:00 PM)
Dr Jee Teck Weng extended heartfelt thanks to all speakers, collaborators, and participants. He noted that the forum reflected the collective strength and intellectual unity of Global South institutions, reaffirming a shared commitment to innovation and academic excellence.
Overall Impact & Key Takeaways
- Strengthened academic partnerships across India, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei
- Valuable insights on policy innovation, NEP 2020, BIMP-EAGA cooperation, and inclusive education
- Emphasis on digital transformation, sustainability, community engagement, and institutional development
- Reinforced need for continued cross-border dialogue to shape a future-ready Global South education ecosystem
