ITS Champions ASEAN Collaboration at QS Higher Ed APAC Summit 2025

ITS Rector Prof. Dr. (HC) Ir. Bambang Pramujati ST MScEng PhD (right) as one of the main panelists at the QS Higher Education Summit Asia Pacific (APAC) 2025 in Seoul, South Korea

Seoul, ITS News — A shared vision of an inclusive and interconnected ASEAN learning community became the focal point of the QS Higher Education Summit: Asia Pacific 2025, held in Seoul, South Korea, from November 4 to 6, 2025. This theme was highlighted during a panel session titled “How Universities are Shaping ASEAN’s Tomorrow”, featuring four distinguished leaders from prominent educational institutions on Wednesday afternoon (November 5, local time).

The panel discussion explored how collaboration, shared values, and innovation can accelerate sustainable growth across Southeast Asia. These efforts align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The session featured key speakers: Prof. Dr. (HC) Ir. Bambang Pramujati S.T., M.Sc., Eng., PhD, Rector of Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS); Prof. Sibrandes Poppema, Vice President and Vice-Chancellor of Sunway University, Malaysia; Dr. Ly Thien Trang, Vice President of Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, Vietnam; and Jeroen Prinsen, Executive Director of QS Asia-Pacific. Each speaker shared perspectives on how universities can shape ASEAN’s future through education, entrepreneurship, and regional cooperation.

Representing Indonesia, ITS Rector Prof. Bambang emphasized the university’s commitment to innovation through the establishment of a Science Technopark, a collaborative hub where researchers and industry partners work together in fields such as maritime technology, automotive engineering, and robotics. “This platform provides space for researchers and companies to transform innovation into real impact,” Bambang stated.

The panelists of the QS Higher Education Summit Asia Pacific 2025 in the forum ‘How Universities are Shaping ASEAN’s Tomorrow

Prof. Sibrandes Poppema from Sunway University highlighted the importance of values-based education, stressing that technical skills alone are insufficient for long-term success. “Skills may get you a job, but values determine your long-term success,” he remarked, underscoring integrity and humility as essential qualities for sustainable careers.

Meanwhile, Dr. Ly Thien Trang of Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology shared her institution’s approach to integrating entrepreneurship into the curriculum, aiming to produce job creators rather than job seekers. She also emphasized the role of national policies in supporting internationalization and expressed pride in ASEAN’s growing global presence. “We used to look to Europe for opportunities; now we celebrate ASEAN champions,” she said.

Moderated by QS Asia-Pacific Executive Director Jeroen Prinsen, the discussion concluded that ASEAN universities are shifting from competition to strategic collaboration, focusing on sustainability, innovation, and shared human values. The panel agreed that the future of ASEAN higher education will be shaped not by borders, but by partnerships that transcend them.

ITS’s active participation in this summit reflects its vision of positioning ASEAN as a strong, united educational community on the global stage. Through innovation, policy support, and cross-border collaboration, ITS and its regional partners aim to create a future where education drives sustainable development and shared prosperity. (HUMAS ITS)