JAKARTA, KalderaNews.com – Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, delivered pre-recorded opening remarks at the EU–ASEAN Scholarships Information Day 2025, emphasizing that the event serves to open doors, connect talent, and shape the shared future of both regions.
He underscored the commitment of both ASEAN and the EU to expanding study, research, and mobility opportunities, stating that this investment in youth prepares the region to meet tomorrow’s challenges.
Dr. Kao provided concrete examples of the successful partnership, noting that in 2024, over 200 students from ASEAN were selected for joint master’s degree scholarships through the Erasmus+ program.
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He illustrated the transformative impact with the example of a young Indonesian engineer who, after studying in Europe, would return with advanced knowledge, cultural fluency, and networks to benefit her community and the region.
Quantifying the success, he pointed out that between 2014 and 2023, nearly 12,000 ASEAN students and scholars studied or taught in Europe, while approximately 6,000 Europeans came to ASEAN for similar opportunities, with each individual serving as “a bridge between our two regions.
He also highlighted research collaboration under Horizon Europe, which saw the EU fund 90 projects from 2021 to 2024 involving 109 ASEAN institutions, backed by €10.6 million in support.
This collaboration, he stressed, demonstrates that “innovation knows no borders”. The Secretary-General acknowledged that today’s scholars are entering a complex world marked by geopolitical tensions, climate change, and the acceleration of AI and green technologies concluding that to thrive requires adaptability, creativity, and “above all collaboration across borders”.
Furthermore, Dr. Kao outlined ASEAN’s vision for a common space in Southeast Asian higher education, which aims for smooth credit transfer, cross-border recognition of skills, and university-industry partnerships.
He described a future where a student could begin studies in Singapore, take a micro-credential in Vietnam, research in Malaysia, and intern in Thailand, with all achievements fully recognized, citing Europe’s system as an inspiration.
He strongly encouraged students, asserting that “Talent is everywhere but it only needs unlocking”, and urging them to apply with confidence, as the future of ASEAN will be shaped by their “curiosity, your resilience and your willingness to journey beyond your comfort zone”.
He concluded with the potential of EU-ASEAN cooperation: “nurturing a generation of globally connected, regionally grounded leaders” ready to serve their nations and the entire community.
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