PUTRAJAYA, 1 October 2025 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), through the Commonwealth Tertiary Education Facility (CTEF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (MoHE), successfully convened the CTEF Dialogue 2025 at Dewan Za’ba, MoHE in Putrajaya.

With the theme “Enhancing Tertiary Education Partnerships among Emerging Higher Education Systems in the Commonwealth,” the dialogue brought together representatives from High Commissions (Kenya, Zambia, Ghana, United Kingdom, Fiji, and Eswatini), public higher education institutions, private higher education institutions, Polytechnic and Community College Education Department, industries, and stakeholders across the Commonwealth to explore innovative strategies for strengthening tertiary education partnerships.

In her welcoming address, USM Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic and International, Professor Dato' Gs. Dr. Narimah Samat, highlighted the urgency of building equitable and context-sensitive partnerships in higher education.

She stressed that the outcomes of the dialogue will directly contribute to policy recommendations to be presented at the Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (CCEM) in 2026.

The opening speech was delivered by the MoHE Secretary-General, Datuk Dr. Anesee Ibrahim who emphasised that global digital transformation, labour market shifts, and expanding demands on universities are reshaping the higher education landscape.

He also announced that Malaysia, through CTEF, will provide sponsorship for 30 Commonwealth participants to attend the Global Higher Education Forum (GHEF 2025) that is scheduled to be held from 4-6 November 2025 at Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC).

A brief overview of CTEF was delivered by the Director of CTEF, Associate Professor Dr. Thien Lei Mee, who said that the dialogue provides an important platform to share ideas, expertise, and strengthen partnerships.

She highlighted that CTEF focuses on four key functions namely data collection, research, policy development, and advisory services to support sustainable higher education in member countries.

Highlights of Presentations

The CTEF Dialogue 2025 held on 23 September 2025 featured insightful sessions that underscored Malaysia’s higher education strengths and the collective vision for advancing Commonwealth partnerships.

Session 1: Malaysia’s Higher Education Partnerships

• Novie Tajuddin (CEO, EMGS) emphasised Malaysia’s role as a global education hub through student services, mobility programmes, scholarships, and branch campuses. Initiatives such as the International Student Arrival Centre and global alumni networks further strengthen collaboration.

• Professor Dr. Harshita Aini Haroon (Director, AKEPT) highlighted leadership development as central to institutional resilience, with AKEPT’s leadership competency framework serving as a model for Commonwealth collaboration.

Session 2: Roundtable Dialogue – Future of Commonwealth Higher Education

The roundtable discussions brought together diverse perspectives, with participants identifying pressing challenges and opportunities for Commonwealth higher education systems:

• Group 1 stressed the need for stronger industry–academia collaboration, equitable access to digital infrastructure, and agile policy reforms to navigate rapid technological changes.

• Group 2 highlighted the urgency of tackling financial barriers, mental health needs, and digital divides, while ensuring academic programmes remain inclusive, practical, and responsive to diverse student populations.

• Group 3 emphasised the role of academic leadership and cross-border research collaboration, particularly between Commonwealth and ASEAN nations, in driving impactful knowledge creation and community development.

• Group 4 raised concerns over resource disparities and brain drain, calling for joint degree initiatives, collaborative funding taskforces, and targeted skills development to retain talent and strengthen higher education systems across member countries.

Collectively, the sessions highlighted the need for resilient, inclusive, and forward-looking partnerships, which are essential towards advancing tertiary education within the Commonwealth and achieving the aspirations of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In her closing speech, the Undersecretary of International Relations Division at MoHE, Datin Noorazah Omar, stressed that the discussions went beyond academic exchange, contributing directly to actionable recommendations for the future of Commonwealth higher education.

She reaffirmed that the spirit of collaboration must continue to drive resilience, inclusivity, and global partnerships.

Also present at the CTEF Dialogue 2025 was the CTEF Project Coordinator, Dr. Nur Rafidah Asyikin Idris; Project Officer, Sri Jeyanthirar Subramaniam; Executive Officers and secretariats from the International Relations Division, MoHE.

Text: Dr. Nur Rafidah Asyikin Idris, Project Officer, Commonwealth Tertiary Education Facility (CTEF)