Kuala Lumpur, Nov. 6 -- ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn on November 4 called on regional leaders and higher-education institutions across the region to lead transformation efforts to realise the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the ASEAN Higher Education Leadership Forum (ASHELF) 2025 under the framework of the Festival of Ideas (FOI) 2025 in Malaysia, the Secretary-General said that higher education in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) must move beyond alignment and take a leadership role in shaping the region's future.

He revealed that the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Strategic Plan designates education as a driver for equity and sustainable development. Its agenda calls ...