Sunway University Hosts AppliedHE Xchange 2025
Sunway University served as the proud host of the AppliedHE Xchange 2025, held from 27-29 November 2025. The theme for this year's Xchange was Together for Tomorrow: Excellence, Engagement, Evolution.
The event featured the launch of the ALL ASIA Public & Private University Rankings 2026. This prestigious region-wide platform celebrated institutional achievements across North Asia, the Middle East, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. It also marked the debut of the Academic Road Trip (ART), a bold new initiative designed to connect academics and students through collaborative learning journeys. Attendees experienced inspiring keynotes and panel discussions led by thought leaders in education innovation, rankings, employability, and skills development, along with hands-on workshops that translated insights into actionable institutional strategies. The programme also included high-energy debates, which challenged long-held perspectives, and sessions delivered by rankings experts, offering exclusive insights found nowhere else.
Day 1 of the event was highlighted by welcoming remarks from Prof Sibrandes Poppema, President of Sunway University, and Ms Mandy Mok, CEO of AppliedHE. Professor Kevin Downing of the City University of Hong Kong delivered an insightful speech on the 'Curse of Rankings' before the day continued with engaging panel discussions, elevator pitch sessions and thrilling debates. The evening took place at the Sunway Resort Hotel, which served as the host for the Gala Dinner. Guests were delighted by dance performances from Sunway students, before the launch and announcement of AppliedHE's Top 20 Asia Public Universities, in which Sunway University was ranked #6.
Day 2 played host to more engaging panel discussions and also served as the birth of the AppliedHE Declaration. In a workshop hosted by Sunway University's Provost, Prof. Abhimanyu Veerakumarasivam, and StudyPortals' Marcel Bandur, a 10-point declaration was put together. This declaration was then ratified and read on stage during the event. A closing keynote was delivered by Dr Phyllis Kedibone Chembe of Walter Sisulu University, South Africa.
The 3rd day of the event was an exclusive workshop for members of AppliedHE's App.LE club. This exclusive workshop pulled back the curtain on the data, strategy, and storytelling behind rankings success. Participants learned how top universities aligned academic excellence, employability, and brand positioning to achieve sustainable visibility and impact.
The final segment of the conference was a guided tour to Sunway Lagoon's Mini-Zoo, where participants were delighted to view and interact with the wildlife in the park.
