Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) reaffirmed its commitment to becoming a world-class university by actively participating in the QS Higher Ed Summit: Asia Pacific 2025, held from November 4–6 at Korea University, Seoul, South Korea. This prestigious event carried the theme “Advancing Generational Potential: Skills and Partnerships in the Asia Pacific,” focusing on intergenerational talent development, future-ready skills, and strategic partnerships among universities in the region.
The summit was officially opened on November 4 by Ban Ki-Moon, former Secretary-General of the United Nations, who emphasized the importance of cross-border and intergenerational collaboration to address global challenges. He stated that humanity is currently facing numerous interconnected and intricate issues. “No single country or institution can tackle them alone. The solution lies in active collaboration across borders and generations,” he firmly reminded.
He shared his personal experience of meeting President John F. Kennedy during his youth, highlighting the need to embrace global citizenship before national identity.
As one of the three Diamond Sponsors, ITS played a significant role in supporting the summit. The university showcased its research excellence, sustainable technology initiatives, and digital transformation projects through an institutional exhibition. This platform served to strengthen ITS’s global presence and expand its network with international academic and industry partners.
To further enhance international collaboration, ITS signed Memoranda of Understanding with three leading universities: Vellore Institute of Technology (India), Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (Vietnam), and SEGi University (Malaysia). These agreements cover research collaboration, student and faculty exchanges, visiting professorships, and other initiatives to support ITS’s vision as a global university.
Pro-Vice Chancellor of Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Partha Sharathi Mallick, expressed optimism about the strategic partnership. He conveyed a strong desire to enhance collaboration in research and among faculty members, believing that once a friendship begins, it will last forever. “The long-term impact of this cooperation is the realization of a world-class university in India, where people from around the globe can come and study at VIT. This MoU marks an important step toward that vision,” he stated confidently.
Stella Lau Kah Wai, Managing Director of Group Operations, Globalization and Digitalization at SEGi University and Colleges Malaysia, emphasized the significance of establishing enduring partnerships that yield measurable outcomes. She affirmed that research collaboration, along with student and staff exchanges, remains a central priority for the institution.
In the short term, she noted, SEGi aims to foster academic connectivity by facilitating the exchange of ideas and promoting joint scholarly publications. Looking ahead, the university is committed to enhancing its contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “Our collaboration must be sustainable and capable of generating tangible impact,” she asserted.
ITS Rector Prof. Dr. (HC) Ir. Bambang Pramujati, ST, MSc Eng, PhD, also served as a panel speaker in the session “How Universities are Shaping ASEAN’s Tomorrow” alongside leaders from Sunway University, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, and QS APAC. He stressed the strategic role of universities in preparing ASEAN youth through interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation, and capacity building for resilient regional development.
In his presentation, the Professor from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at ITS emphasized the strategic role of universities in preparing the young generation of ASEAN. “This can be achieved through cross-disciplinary collaboration, sustainable innovation, and the enhancement of human resource capacity as the foundation for building a resilient region,” he explained.
ITS’s participation in the QS Higher Ed Summit: Asia Pacific 2025 marks a major step in strengthening its global engagement. Through international partnerships and academic leadership, ITS continues to pursue its vision as a World Class Entrepreneurial University, contributing to education, technology, and sustainable development in the Asia Pacific and beyond.(HUMAS ITS)