EU and ASEAN Deepen Ties on Talent Development at Kuala Lumpur Dialogue

Kuala Lumpur, 14-15 October 2025 - “People-to-people connectivity in higher education is central to the EU-ASEAN Strategic Partnership.” With these words, H.E. Sujiro Seam, EU Ambassador to ASEAN, opened the third EU-ASEAN Policy Dialogue on Higher Education in Kuala Lumpur, setting the agenda for two days of intensive collaboration. The event brought together ministers, senior officials, and university leaders to tackle one of the region's most pressing issues: preparing a future-ready workforce through internationalisation.

Co-hosted by the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education and the European Union, the dialogue was a key initiative of the Sustainable Connectivity Package – Higher Education (SCOPE-HE) programme, implemented by a consortium of Nuffic and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

Ambassador Seam reinforced the EU's commitment, stating,

“Programmes such as SCOPE Higher Education, Erasmus Plus, and Horizon Europe demonstrate the EU's active support for higher education across ASEAN and beyond.”

From Policy to Practice

The dialogue provided a crucial platform to align the ambitious new ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Higher Education with concrete action. Through high-level panels and interactive sessions, participants explored how to strengthen university leadership, enhance the quality and attractiveness of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and build sustainable international partnerships.

A key focus was on bridging the gap between academia and industry. In a session on ‘Closing the Skills Gap in the Semiconductor Sector’, experts examined how to address critical talent shortages in this vital industry.

The session was moderated by Nanya Burki, Director of Nuffic Southeast Asia, who emphasised the need for direct collaboration.

“To future-proof the careers of graduates and the growth of key sectors like semiconductors, we need to build strong bridges between education and industry,” said Burki. “This dialogue is essential for aligning our programmes with the real needs of the economy, ensuring that students gain the skills that make them highly employable and ready to innovate.”

Nanya Burki also contributed as a speaker in the opening panel, exploring how the SCOPE-HE programme can directly support the implementation of the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration

Co-creating the Way Forward

The format of the dialogue was designed to turn discussion into tangible outcomes. Participants worked together in parallel sessions to identify challenges and co-develop actionable recommendations. These will be formalised in the Kuala Lumpur Policy Brief, which will directly inform the next ASEAN Work Plan on Education and guide future collaboration between the EU and ASEAN.

The event in Kuala Lumpur has strengthened the foundation for a more connected and dynamic higher education landscape in ASEAN. By fostering the talent and skills needed for the future, this partnership is empowering future generations and contributing to the region's sustainable economic and social development.

The SCOPE-HE programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by Nuffic and DAAD, aims to enhance exchanges and connectivity in higher education, research, and TVET within ASEAN and between ASEAN and the EU.