Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, met with Professor Tang Heiwai, Associate Vice-President of the University of Hong Kong (HKU), at the ASEAN Headquarters in Jakarta to explore expanded cooperation in education and people-to-people connectivity between ASEAN and Hong Kong, China.
During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on potential avenues for collaboration, with a particular focus on strengthening academic linkages and fostering greater educational exchange between the ASEAN region and Hong Kong. The discussion underscored the importance of higher education partnerships in building long-term human capital development across Southeast Asia.
Dr. Kao highlighted ASEAN's commitment to deepening cooperation with Hong Kong in the field of education, noting that academic collaboration plays a vital role in enhancing regional integration and mutual understanding. The Secretary-General emphasized that people-to-people connectivity remains a cornerstone of ASEAN's community-building efforts, and that partnerships with leading academic institutions like the University of Hong Kong can significantly contribute to this goal.
Professor Tang Heiwai expressed HKU's keen interest in expanding its engagement with ASEAN member states, including through student exchange programs, joint research initiatives, and capacity-building projects. The University of Hong Kong, consistently ranked among the world's top universities, has been actively seeking to strengthen its ties with Southeast Asian academic institutions.
The meeting comes amid broader efforts by ASEAN to enhance educational cooperation with dialogue partners and external stakeholders. Hong Kong, as a Special Administrative Region of China, has long maintained close economic and cultural ties with ASEAN countries. The ASEAN-Hong Kong relationship has grown significantly in recent years, with trade and investment flows continuing to expand.
Educational cooperation between ASEAN and Hong Kong has been identified as a key priority area, with both sides recognizing the importance of nurturing talent and fostering innovation to drive sustainable economic growth. The discussions between Dr. Kao and Professor Tang are expected to pave the way for more structured academic exchanges and collaborative programs in the future.
The ASEAN Secretariat has been actively pursuing partnerships with universities and research institutions around the world as part of its efforts to promote knowledge sharing and capacity development. These engagements support the broader goals of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, which emphasizes the importance of education, human resource development, and regional connectivity.
The University of Hong Kong's engagement with ASEAN reflects the growing recognition of Southeast Asia's strategic importance as a center for academic and research collaboration. With its diverse cultural landscape and rapidly developing economies, the region offers unique opportunities for academic partnerships that can benefit both ASEAN member states and international partners.
Sources: [asean.org]
