Sunway University Champions Regional Collaboration at ASHELF 2025

The ASEAN Higher Education Leadership Forum (ASHELF) 2025 took place at the Putrajaya International Conference Centre as part of the Putrajaya Festival of Ideas 2025. Sunway University was present at the event, delivering a panel session pertaining to Research & Innovation. Sunway University academics joined regional leaders to discuss how ASEAN can foster a responsible and impact-driven research and innovation ecosystem. 

The session opened with Sunway University's Provost and Pro-Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abhimanyu Veerakumarasivam, delivering his welcoming remarks, setting the tone for collaboration and trust in building a safe and sustainable ASEAN research environment.

Prof. Chai Lay Ching, Sunway University's Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education, Employability and Alumni), introduced the ASEAN Young Scientists Network (ASEAN-YSN) and shared findings from the Global Young Academy’s GloSYS ASEAN Report, which highlighted key challenges faced by early-career researchers such as limited funding, unequal mentorship, and fragmented ecosystems. She underscored ASEAN-YSN’s commitment to ethical research, collaboration, and empowerment through initiatives like the ASEAN Responsible Conduct of Research programme.

Dr Orakanoke Phanraksa,  a policy specialist in the field of intellectual property law, linked these efforts to the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Vision 2045, emphasising the importance of innovation in digital, green, and creative economies, and the need for knowledge-sharing and stronger R&D support across member states.

A panel moderated by Sunway University's Prof. Malissa Mahmud and Prof. Kavitha Reginald explored how ASEAN can strengthen cross-border collaboration and integration. Panellists Dr Siev Sokly, Prof. Chai, and Dr Orakanoke discussed the need for trust, shared governance, and bottom-up initiatives to drive regional innovation, while also encouraging universities to align research with industry needs. During the following discussion, audience members echoed the call for stronger networking platforms and collective ASEAN action to address global challenges.

Closing the session, the speakers urged researchers to embrace imagination, unity, and diversity as drivers of regional progress, reaffirming Sunway University’s ongoing role in advancing a responsible and inclusive ASEAN research landscape.

Sunway University’s participation at ASHELF 2025 reflects its unwavering commitment to advancing responsible research, regional collaboration, and innovation-driven education. Through active engagement in high-level dialogues and thought leadership, the University continues to champion the values of integrity, inclusivity, and impact—empowering ASEAN’s academic community to shape a more sustainable and interconnected future for the region.