Sunway University Hosts Dean’s Academy Summit 2025 – Asia & MENA
Sunway University recently hosted the Dean’s Academy Summit 2025 – Asia & MENA, as part of the Arizona State University–Cintana Alliance Network, which brought together nearly 30 deans from leading institutions across the region.
Over the course of three days, the summit featured an engaging mix of workshops, breakout sessions, presentations, and networking opportunities. Discussions focused on the evolving role of modern deans, providing a platform to exchange ideas on leadership, professional development, and personal growth.
The programme also highlighted Sunway University’s vision. Prof Sibrandes Poppema, President of Sunway University, delivered a keynote presentation, while Prof Abhimanyu Veerakumarasivam, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost, took part in a featured interview. Adding valuable perspective, a student panel showcased the voices of four Sunway University students, who shared their views on the expectations of today’s learners.
The summit drew praise from participants. Dr Piyush Roy of India’s RV University described Sunway University’s leadership as both “inspiring and friendly” and commended the campus as “a very happening and global campus”. From the Philippines, Professor Dhon Thomas of Mapua University remarked that the event was “more than just a seminar”, highlighting the student panel as a unique feature where he “learned what students expect a dean to be”. Meanwhile, Egypt’s Dr Gehan Ebrahim Ghonemy Shedied of Galala University noted that the summit offered deans an opportunity to upgrade their skills and gain advanced knowledge for professional growth.
The Dean’s Academy Summit 2025 not only fostered collaboration and knowledge-sharing among academic leaders, but also underscored Sunway University’s role within the Arizona State University–Cintana Alliance Network as a hub for global dialogue in higher education. By integrating leadership insights with the voices of students, the summit set a forward-looking agenda for the future of academic leadership in Asia and MENA.
