SEAMEO RIHED Delegation, led by Choltis Dhirathiti, PhD, Director of SEAMEO RIHED has attended the 7th ASEAN-China Forum of Private Higher Education Development and Cooperation and the 5th Annual Meeting of the ASEAN-China Alliance for Private Higher Education Institutions (ACAPHEI) with over a hundred education and local administrators, staffs and students from more than 20 private universities across China and ASEAN countries. The events were held on November 25-26, 2025, and graciously hosted by Geely University in Chengdu, P.R. China.
The forum's theme, "A Co-constructed Community in the AI Era: New China-ASEAN Digital Education Ecosystem," provided participants with opportunities—through keynotes, parallel sessions, roundtables, and project signings—to explore new pathways for the digital transformation of cross-border education and accelerate the building of an AI-era educational community.
Key Highlights and Future Direction
During the opening remarks, Choltis Dhirathiti, PhD, Director of SEAMEO RIHED, highlighted ACAPHEI’s growing role as a vital platform for shared learning and joint development between ASEAN and Chinese private universities. He noted that private higher education now faces unique opportunities amid global challenges such as sustainable development. He called for deeper industry–university collaboration, stressing the value of learning from China’s experiences and leveraging the strengths of Xinwei Education to drive AI–education integration, promote mutual learning, and strengthen resource sharing across the region.
During the Annual Meeting, participants witnessed the growing development of the Alliance's flagship activities, which include Student Online Mobility Program, International Internship Program and Faculty Joint Research Projects. These ongoing and upcoming multilateral collaborations prove the mutual and strong commitment among members toward addressing regional development needs and cultivating future skills. They aim to establish stronger private higher education communities between ASEAN and China to foster and cultivate talented graduates.
Looking Ahead: 2026 Forum Announcement
The 8th ASEAN-China Forum of Private Higher Education Development and Cooperation and the 6th Annual Meeting of the ASEAN-China Alliance for Private Higher Education Institutions (ACAPHEI) will be hosted next year by Yarsi University, Central Jakarta, Indonesia. Stay tuned for more information. If any private universities in Southeast Asia wish to join the Alliance and request for more information, kindly contact Ms. Monsiri Chintanavisit at monsiri@rihed.seameo.org.
