Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – 30 July 2026 – MILA University was represented at the Global Higher Education Conference 2026, held at Van Lang University in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, where Associate Professor Dr. Song Bee Lian, Head of the Department of Postgraduate Studies, School of Management and Business, was invited to deliver a keynote address.
Jointly organised by Education Malaysia Ho Chi Minh City (EMHCMC) under the Consulate General of Malaysia in Ho Chi Minh City and Van Lang University, the conference brought together policymakers, university leaders, academics, researchers, and industry representatives from across the region.
Guided by the theme “Advancing Higher Education in ASEAN for Sustainable Impact: Human-Centred AI, Future Skills, Inclusive Innovation,” the conference examined the challenges and opportunities in higher education amid the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI).
Preparing Future-Ready Graduates for an AI-Driven Economy
In her keynote presentation, “Preparing Future-Ready Graduates: AI, Digital Skills and Employability for an Inclusive ASEAN,” Dr. Song addressed the growing skills gap arising from rapid AI adoption and digital transformation.
She highlighted the important role of higher education institutions in equipping graduates with future-ready competencies, including digital skills, adaptability, critical thinking, employability skills, and the ability to work effectively alongside emerging technologies.
However, preparing graduates for the future requires more than technological proficiency. Dr. Song emphasised the need for universities to adopt human-centred approaches to AI and strengthen teaching and learning practices so that students also develop the judgement, adaptability, and interpersonal capabilities required in an evolving workplace.
Strengthening University, Industry and Regional Collaboration
Translating these priorities into meaningful outcomes requires closer collaboration among universities, employers, and governments. Dr. Song highlighted how such partnerships can help higher education remain responsive to changing workplace demands while supporting sustainable talent development across ASEAN.
By bringing together academic knowledge, industry expectations, and regional perspectives, university-industry partnerships and collaboration among ASEAN institutions can help bridge the gap between higher education and the skills increasingly sought by employers.
The keynote also provided an opportunity to showcase Malaysia’s commitment to developing globally competitive graduates while strengthening the quality and international visibility of Malaysian higher education. Dr. Song’s participation further showcased MILA University’s academic and research capabilities on an international platform.
Bringing Malaysian Higher Education to a Wider Audience
The significance of the keynote was further highlighted through media coverage by Vietnam’s national television channels, VTV9 and Vietnam Today, which featured Dr. Song delivering her keynote address at the conference.
The coverage provided additional international visibility for the conference while highlighting Malaysia’s contribution to regional discussions on AI, digital transformation, graduate employability, and the future of higher education.
Extending Dialogue Beyond the Conference
Beyond the keynote session, the conference provided a valuable platform for international academic networking and knowledge exchange. Dr. Song engaged with researchers, academics, and higher education professionals from different countries, opening opportunities for future research collaboration, academic partnerships, and continued knowledge sharing.
These exchanges reflected the broader purpose of the conference to encourage institutions across ASEAN to learn from one another and explore collaborative approaches to building higher education systems that are inclusive, innovative, and responsive to future challenges.
Dr. Song’s participation reflects MILA University’s commitment to academic excellence, international engagement, digital transformation, and future-ready education. It also reinforces the University’s role in regional conversations on how higher education can equip graduates with the skills and competencies needed to thrive in an increasingly AI-driven and interconnected world.
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