PUTRAJAYA – The Festival of Ideas (FOI) 2025 and the ASEAN Higher Education Leadership Forum (ASHELF) 2025 have concluded in Putrajaya, drawing regional and international attention to Malaysia’s ambition of becoming a hub for innovation, education, and knowledge exchange.
The FOI, organised by Malaysia’s Ministry of Higher Education, was held at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) from 3 to 8 November.
The event, now in its second edition, was described by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir as more than an academic gathering.
He emphasised that it was a “national movement to make the culture of thinking and sharing ideas an identity for Malaysians.”
The festival attracted an estimated two million participants, with half a million attending in person and the remainder joining virtually.
Discussions ranged from artificial intelligence and space technology to sustainable development and creative industries.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof highlighted the importance of resilience in education, noting that “resilience is not merely about recovery, but the ability to anticipate, adapt and transform in the face of crises.”
Running alongside the FOI, the ASEAN Higher Education Leadership Forum (ASHELF) 2025 convened from 4 to 5 November.
Jointly organised by the Ministry of Higher Education, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, and the Higher Education Leadership Academy (AKEPT), the forum brought together policymakers, academics, and industry leaders from across Southeast Asia.
ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn, in his keynote address, stressed the need for regional collaboration in higher education.
He called for stronger partnerships in teaching and learning, research and innovation, planetary health, artificial intelligence, and technical and vocational education (TVET).
The forum also placed emphasis on nurturing young academics and preparing institutions to address global challenges.
The dual events underscored Malaysia’s strategic role in shaping the future of education and innovation within ASEAN.
By embedding AI literacy, reimagining TVET, and promoting cross-border collaboration, Malaysia is positioning itself as a regional leader in knowledge-driven growth.
Observers noted that the combination of FOI and ASHELF provided a unique platform where grassroots ideas from citizens intersected with high-level policy discussions.
This synergy, organisers said, reflects the country’s aspiration to build a “Malaysia MADANI” society, one rooted in innovation, inclusivity, and shared progress.
With both events drawing strong participation and international recognition, Putrajaya has reinforced its standing as a centre for intellectual exchange in Southeast Asia.
Sources: Bernama, ASEAN Secretariat News
