Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) proudly launched the ASEAN Universities Forum and Exhibition 2025 with the arrival of 19 mobility students from across ASEAN on February 19, 2025. In partnership with Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS), and the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (MOHE), UPM welcomed these students as one of the host universities.

The programme commenced with an ice-breaking session and an introduction to the ASEAN Future Innovators Challenge, establishing a vibrant atmosphere for a week filled with meaningful engagement, cross-cultural exchange, and innovation.

On the second day, Mr. Muhammad Syafiq Farhan Boo, Head of the Mobility Section at i-PUTRA, provided the students with a comprehensive briefing on i-PUTRA’s Mobility Programme. This was followed by a series of interactive indoor games organised by the BUDDIES Association, aimed at fostering team spirit and helping students acclimatise to campus life.

That afternoon, students participated in an industry visit focusing on sustainable fashion, guided by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Che Azurahanim Che Abdullah and Mr. Muhammad Hadry Abd Majid. This visit highlighted the fashion industry’s role in supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and inspired students to begin developing their challenge projects. The day concluded with an inspiring talk by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Che Azurahanim, followed by a thought-provoking sharing session on empowering ASEAN youth, led by Ms. Zayana Yazed of Zayana Yazed Creations Academy.

Over the weekend (February 21–23), students immersed themselves in cultural experiences while continuing to shape their projects. The third day kicked off with a lively brainstorming session for the ASEAN Future Innovators Challenge, followed by group activities and a cultural visit to the Malay Heritage Museum at the Faculty of Modern Languages and Communication, where students discovered the rich traditions and historical depth of the Malay community.

On the fourth day, students explored UPM’s vibrant campus through a guided tour, followed by a visit to Putrajaya, where they admired the stunning architecture of Masjid Putra. An evening session for the Innovators Challenge allowed teams to finalise their project directions and strategies.

Day five featured an internal judging and presentation session at Dewan Taklimat Serdang, where teams presented their projects to a panel that included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Che Azurahanim Che Abdullah (Deputy Director of i-PUTRA), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mashitah Shikh Maidin (Faculty of Science, UPM), Ms. Zayana Yazed, and Mr. Zahid Ibrahim from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). This round served as a valuable rehearsal and refinement phase before the national-level presentation.

The momentum peaked on February 24–25, when UPM’s ASEAN mobility students attended the grand finale at SUNWAY Resort Hotel. This forum gathered 500 student leaders from over 80 universities across the region, featuring impactful seminars, academic exhibitions, and collaborative networking activities designed to strengthen ties among ASEAN institutions.

The opening ceremony was officiated by The Honourable Senator Dato’ Seri DiRaja Zambry Abdul Kadir, Minister of Higher Education Malaysia. UPM was represented proudly by i-PUTRA, the School of Graduate Studies (SGS), and the Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security (ITAFoS). Professor Dr. Alyani Ismail, Director of i-PUTRA, represented the university and Vice Chancellor in discussions with key national and regional stakeholders.

The highlight of UPM’s forum experience came when the university was announced as the Overall Champion, surpassing 13 other host institutions across Malaysia. Our mobility students demonstrated exceptional creativity, teamwork, and innovation, earning top honours for their challenge project.

The winning team—comprising Nur Fatin Farhanah Binti Abdullah (Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Brunei), Tran The Phuong (Hanoi Law University, Vietnam), Christopher Jason Santoso (Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Indonesia), Kawisara Yodpanan (King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Thailand), and Alwanee Yusoh (Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Campus, Thailand)—impressed the judges with their project titled “Sew and Share.”

Guided by mentors Assoc. Prof. Dr. Che Azurahanim, Mr. Muhammad Syafiq Farhan Boo Omar Boo, Mr. Muhammad Hadry Abd Majid, and the i-PUTRA team, with industry training by Ms. Zayana Yazed, the team proposed a sustainable fashion initiative addressing waste through educational and community-driven solutions aligned with SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).

Their three-minute innovation video resonated with both judges and audience alike, tackling real-world challenges in ASEAN’s fashion sector with creativity and depth.

Special thanks go to the i-PUTRA team, UUM, EMGS, and MOHE for their unwavering support. The award ceremony was officiated by Mr. Novie Tajuddin, CEO of EMGS, who commended the students’ contributions to building a stronger, more united ASEAN.

This achievement not only underscores UPM’s leadership in student mobility and innovation but also reflects the power of cross-border collaboration in shaping the future of ASEAN.

Date of Input: 10/07/2025 | Updated: 10/07/2025 | nurulshabila