AppliedHE Xchange 2025 Kicks Off at Sunway University!

The AppliedHE Xchange 2025 officially opened on 27 November at Sunway University, kicking off three days of discussions, debates, and insights that bring together higher education leaders from across Asia and beyond. While the full programme runs until 29 November, Day 1 immediately set the pace with a dynamic start that highlighted the event’s spirit of collaboration, innovation, and meaningful change in the sector.

Day 1 began with registration and a warm welcome, followed by opening remarks from Prof. Sibrandes Poppema, President of Sunway University, and Ms Mandy Mok, CEO of AppliedHE. Their messages underscored the importance of learner-focused approaches and institution-level innovation in shaping the future of higher education. This led to an impactful keynote by Professor Kevin Downing, who unpacked “The Curse of Rankings” and urged universities to prioritise real-world outcomes over superficial metrics.

The morning continued with a panel on lifelong learning and non-traditional education pathways, followed by a rapid-fire elevator pitch session showcasing innovations from six universities. A second panel before lunch explored sustainability, alumni engagement, and long-term institutional resilience.

In the afternoon, delegates engaged in the spirited “Rankings are Poisonous!” debate, a Country Report session on AI’s influence on higher education, and a methodology briefing for the ALL ASIA 2026 Rankings. The day concluded with a Gala Dinner featuring thrilling student performances, engaging speeches, and the all-important announcement of Asia’s Top 20 Public and Private Universities.