Continuing to Serve: Initiatives from AUN and its Thematic Networks to Empower ASEAN Higher Education Institutions

The AUN Secretariat is diving into 2025 with 5 major initiatives that aim to make a high impact across the ASEAN higher education landscape. AUN is making large strides to enhance QA-related functions such as an IQA Toolkit that will bolster the internal operations of institutions and Institutional Assessments already scheduled for 2025. Beyond QA, the AUN Secretariat is also looking to enhance the overall experience of ASEAN higher education with initiatives such as reaching into qualifications standards with the AUN QEx initiatives, English as Medium of Instruction initiatives to strengthen outputs in standard English, and the AUN Digital Transformation (AUN Dx) thematic network with their sights set on enhancing university capabilities in advanced technology and AI.

Major Initiatives from the AUN Secretariat in 2025

1. IQA Toolkit Development

The AUN-QA IQA Toolkit provides a structured yet adaptable framework to empower ASEAN universities in establishing and enhancing their Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) systems. By integrating innovative strategies, fostering collaboration, and leveraging technology, the toolkit helps universities align with global standards while respecting their unique missions, visions, and cultural contexts. It emphasizes leadership commitment, stakeholder engagement, and capacity building as essential components, while leveraging data-driven decision-making to enhance institutional credibility and student outcomes.

Reflecting AUN’s commitment to educational excellence, the toolkit supports continuous improvement and reinforces a culture of shared accountability and innovation. It addresses the diverse challenges faced by ASEAN universities with practical, inclusive, and sustainable solutions. By providing tools, resources, and collaborative platforms, the AUN-QA IQA Toolkit ensures that quality assurance is a cornerstone of institutional growth, preparing ASEAN universities to excel regionally and globally.

2. Institutional Assessments for 2025

AUN-QA is committed to upholding excellent QA practices for universities across the region that undergo its assessment activities. To achieve this, institutional assessments have been planned and scheduled for the entirety of 2025. These assessments are designed to provide actionable insights reinforcing AUN’s dedication to capacity building and the promotion of high-quality education. Coverage of each assessment will be released after its conduct, maintaining transparency and encouraging AUN-QA member institutions to participate in this initiative. This approach underscores AUN’s focus on continuous improvement and its role as a facilitator of regional collaboration and educational excellence.

3. Advancing Qualifications Standards through AUN-QEx

The AUN-Qualifications Excellence (AUN-QEx) initiative is a transformative effort aimed at elevating higher education quality across Southeast Asia. By enhancing qualifications frameworks and aligning academic programs with industry needs, AUN-QEx ensures graduates are equipped with the skills required for today’s dynamic workforce. This initiative builds on partnerships with the International Tuning Academy, University of Groningen, and University of Deusto, dating back to 2016, to establish a robust framework tailored to the ASEAN context.

Central to AUN-QEx is the expertise of 91 AUN Experts on Qualifications Frameworks, Systems, and Management from 25 universities in 7 ASEAN countries. The initiative emphasizes student-centric methodologies, outcome-based learning, and rigorous Quality Assurance processes. AUN-QEx aims to unify qualifications management and drive continuous improvement, ensuring ASEAN graduates remain competitive in a globalized economy.

4. English as Medium of Instruction (EMI) Enhancement

The AUN Secretariat recognizes the importance of English proficiency in enhancing ASEAN universities’ global competitiveness. Through its English as Medium of Instruction (EMI) initiative, AUN aims to ensure that university teaching and research staff are well-equipped to deliver their outputs in standard English. This initiative will include capacity-building programs, EMI-friendly curricula development, and establishing a network of practitioners to share resources and best practices.

By strengthening EMI capabilities, ASEAN universities can facilitate international collaborations, improve students’ preparation for global opportunities, and bolster their academic and research reputation. These efforts aim to position ASEAN graduates and institutions as prominent players in the international education landscape.

5. Digital Transformation with AUN Dx

The AUN Digital Transformation (AUN Dx) thematic network centers around the integrative AUN Dx Framework, initiated in 2022 by Prince of Songkla University’s Office of Digital Innovation and Intelligent Systems (DIIS), in collaboration with ISEM and AUN. The framework introduces a “one platform, one protocol” approach, enabling universities to streamline digital and ICT management. By integrating widely recognized standards such as ISO 9001, CMMI, and ISO/IEC 27001, the AUN Dx Framework helps institutions improve their digital infrastructure efficiently and cost-effectively.

AUN Dx is characterized by its flexibility, accommodating the diverse developmental paces of universities. The framework’s five standard categories—Information Security Management (IM), Project Governance (PG), Product Development (PD), Service Management (SM), and Organizational Management (OM)—offer institutions the ability to pursue improvements based on their priorities and capacities. Among these, Information Security Management is expected to attract the most attention. By providing a robust and adaptable structure, AUN Dx aims to equip ASEAN universities with the tools and capabilities necessary to navigate and thrive in an increasingly digital era.

Together, these initiatives demonstrate the AUN Secretariat’s unwavering commitment to serve its stakeholders by fostering innovation, quality, and collaboration within the ASEAN higher education sector. By addressing critical areas such as quality assurance, qualifications standards, language proficiency, and digital transformation, the AUN Secretariat is setting the stage for a transformative year that will have a lasting impact on the region’s academic landscape.