UMPSA strengthens regional mobility partnerships at 20th AIMS Annual Review Meeting in the Philippines

ILOILO CITY, PHILIPPINES, 16 October 2026 – Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) reaffirmed its commitment to meaningful student mobility and regional higher education cooperation through its participation in the 20th Annual Review Meeting of the Asian International Mobility for Students (AIMS) Programme, held from 14 to 16 October 2026 in Iloilo City, Philippines.

UMPSA was represented by the Director of the Centre for Mobility and Student Exchange (CMEx), Associate Professor Dr. Nik Aloesnita Nik Mohd Alwi, and Executive, Nur Ezzati Mohd Nasir.

  

 

Organised by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Centre for Higher Education and Development (SEAMEO RIHED), in collaboration with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) of the Philippines, the meeting brought together institutions from Southeast and East Asia to strengthen regional cooperation and discuss the future of international student mobility.

A key highlight was ‘AIMS: Learning in Action’, an interactive marketplace involving 15 universities that showcased mobility programmes, shared institutional experiences and introduced new opportunities for cross-border learning.

Nine Malaysian universities participated in the initiative, namely Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).

The initiative also brought together six international universities from across the region, including IPB University from Indonesia, Gyeongsang National University and Woosong University from the Republic of Korea, Mae Fah Luang University from Thailand, as well as Mapúa University and Mariano Marcos State University from the Philippines.

  

 

Associate Professor Dr. Nik Aloesnita emphasised that mobility should extend beyond traditional exchanges to create enriching educational experiences and lasting partnerships.

“International mobility is not only about sending students abroad. It is about creating opportunities for them to experience different cultures, develop new perspectives and build the confidence to engage with the wider world.

“Through AIMS, we can strengthen regional partnerships while ensuring that more students benefit from meaningful international learning experiences, particularly in engineering, technology and applied education,” she said.

Since joining AIMS in 2017, UMPSA has remained the only institution representing the Malaysian Technical University Network (MTUN), contributing its strengths in technical and applied education to the regional mobility network.

Discussions on the AIMS Strategic Framework 2026–2028 also highlighted regional connectivity, student competencies and the longer-term value of international education. 

These priorities reinforce the importance of assessing mobility not only through participation, but also through the perspectives, capabilities and connections students gain from their experiences.

During the meeting, UMPSA also promoted the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) 2027 Conference and Exhibition, scheduled for 21 to 25 March 2027 in Kuala Lumpur. 

As one of the co-host universities, UMPSA invited AIMS member institutions and regional partners to take part in this international gathering, supporting Malaysia’s profile as a destination for higher education collaboration.

  

 

The meeting further provided opportunities for UMPSA to engage with regional partners on student exchanges and future institutional cooperation. 

Among its upcoming initiatives, UMPSA is preparing to welcome six students from Chonnam National University, Republic of Korea, in January 2027, illustrating how regional partnerships can translate into learning opportunities for students.

Through its continued participation in AIMS, UMPSA aims to broaden access to meaningful international experiences, strengthen regional academic networks and develop globally competent, adaptable and future-ready graduates.

By: Nur Ezzati Mohd Nasir, Centre for Mobility and Student Exchange (CMEx)