Higher education leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region gathered in Malaysia earlier this year for the International Association of University Presidents (IAUP) Asia-Pacific Regional Conference 2026.
Yang Amat Mulia Tunku Laxamana Tunku Dato’ Seri Utama Naquiyuddin ibni Almarhum Tuanku Ja’afar, Chancellor of INTI International University (fourth from right), Dr. Chong Kok Wai, Chief Executive Officer of INTI International University & Colleges (third from right), Prof. Dr. Joseph Lee, Vice Chancellor of INTI International University (fourth from left), and Melinda Yang, Shareholder Representative of Hope Education Group to INTI International University & Colleges (first from left), pose with delegates from the International Association of University Presidents (IAUP) ahead of the Gala Dinner.
Held from 12 to 14 January 2026 at the Putrajaya Marriott Hotel, the conference brought together university presidents, vice-chancellors, scholars, and policymakers for three days of discussions on the future of higher education. Guided by the theme “Global Connections, Collective Growth,” the meeting created opportunities for participants to exchange perspectives on collaboration, innovation, and the evolving role of universities in a rapidly changing global landscape.
Over the three days, participants attended keynote addresses, panel discussions, and breakout sessions examining issues shaping universities today.
Welcoming participants to Malaysia, Professor Dr Joseph Lee, Vice-Chancellor of INTI International University and host of the IAUP Asia-Pacific Regional Conference 2026, highlighted the importance of international cooperation in strengthening universities and expanding opportunities for students.
Participants of the IAUP Asia-Pacific Regional Conference 2026 gather for a group photograph during the conference held in Putrajaya.
“The conference theme, ‘Global Connections, Collective Growth,’ reflects INTI’s commitment to fostering international cooperation and academic excellence,” said Prof. Dr Joseph. “Through our extensive network of partners, we continue to share best practices and develop collaborative initiatives that benefit our wider community.”
During the sessions, speakers explored several issues affecting universities worldwide, including cross-border partnerships for innovation, student mobility in a changing global landscape, and the growing role of technology in enabling learning and academic collaboration.
Speakers and panellists from universities across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East also shared perspectives drawn from their institutional experiences, highlighting both opportunities and challenges in strengthening academic partnerships and building resilient education systems.
Speaking at the conference, Dr Shawn Chen, President of the International Association of University Presidents (IAUP), emphasised the Asia-Pacific region’s growing influence in shaping global higher education.
“The Asia-Pacific region continues to play a pivotal role in educational innovation, economic progress, and cultural exchange,” said Dr Chen. “This conference provides an important platform for university leaders and stakeholders to share insights, build partnerships, and explore strategies that can create global impact.”
Delegates enjoy a traditional Malaysian music and dance performance by the Negeri Sembilan Arts School.
Outside the formal sessions, the conference also provided opportunities for participants to build professional connections. Networking activities throughout the event allowed leaders to exchange ideas informally, while a gala dinner and cultural night celebrated the diversity of the participating institutions and highlighted Malaysia’s role as a welcoming hub for international engagement.
The gala dinner was also attended by Yang Amat Mulia Tunku Laxamana Tunku Dato’ Seri Utama Naquiyuddin ibni Almarhum Tuanku Ja’afar, Chancellor of INTI International University.
In his address, the Chancellor reflected on the enduring role of universities in maintaining public trust.
“Universities endure not because they are visible, but because people trust them. That trust is built over time, especially when decisions are difficult,” said Yang Amat Mulia Tunku Dato’ Seri Utama Naquiyuddin ibni Almarhum Tuanku Ja’afar. “In many societies today, universities remain among the few institutions still expected to hold public trust, and how that trust is upheld defines their standing over time.”
INTI students present a Malaysian cultural performance for conference delegates during the gala dinner.