“A More Connected Higher Education System”: Dr. Thanapan Laiprakobsup Launches the 2nd AUN-QEx Mastery Training Workshop on Qualifications Excellence
The ASEAN University Network (AUN) officially convened the 2nd AUN-QEx Mastery Training Workshop on Qualifications Excellence on 1 April 2026, marking a significant step forward in the regional harmonisation of higher education.
In his opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thanapan Laiprakobsup, Executive Director of the AUN, set a visionary tone for the event, emphasising that the initiative is more than just a training programme; it is a movement toward a “coherent and connected” ASEAN education system. He highlighted the importance of designing degree programmes that are comparable, compatible, transferable, and verifiable to ensure ASEAN graduates remain globally relevant.
Opening Remarks
“Dear distinguished participants,
A very good morning to all of you. It is an honour and a privilege to welcome you to the 2nd AUN-QEx Mastery Training Workshop on Qualifications Excellence. Your dedication to strengthening qualifications and raising the standard of higher education curricula across the ASEAN region has made the return of this training possible. Most importantly, it reminds us of what we are striving to achieve together: a more coherent and connected higher education system in ASEAN, where qualifications are clearly understood, aligned, and globally relevant-and why we must keep pushing the boundaries of this initiative.
Allow me to take this moment to extend my sincere gratitude to Dr. Choltis Dhirathiti, Centre Director of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Centre for Higher Education and Development (SEAMEO RIHED) for your supportive role in taking this initiative forward and for the continued partnership you continue to deepen with us through AUN-QEx. I would also like to acknowledge the sharp vision of our AUN-QEx trainers, Prof. Farhan, Dr. Maria, Prof. Richard, and Prof. Saiful, who will be guiding us throughout the days ahead. Representing the intellect behind the AUN-QEx initiative, our trainers have materialised their ideas into thoughtfully designed exercises which will not only serve as topics for discussion, but practical tools that you can apply to your respective institutions.
The AUN-QEx Programme builds upon a long and strong track record, having evolved from two Erasmus+ projects that laid the foundation for advancing qualifications excellence in the region. Over the years, it has grown into a recognised platform, with its presence and community of practitioners steadily expanding across ASEAN. Today, the network of ASEAN Qualifications Experts continues to strengthen, bringing together diverse expertise and shared commitment to enhance the quality, transparency, and recognition of higher education qualifications across our region.
Following the first training workshop held in June of last year, which has proven to be highly interactive due to the rich exchange of thought-provoking perspectives between trainers and participants, we look forward to continuing that momentum and to see the same level of engagement with this second cohort. Ultimately, the sharing of experiences will help AUN-QEx sharpen its elements and harmonise our understandings of what it means to design a degree programme that is comparable, compatible, transferable, and verifiable. In doing so, we will gradually move towards a more connected higher education system in ASEAN that is catered towards national context but still globally relevant.
I am very delighted to have you all here today. It is truly a privilege to learn that the work we do has resonated with so many individuals across the globe. I encourage each and every one of you here to take full advantage of this opportunity. Ask questions, share ideas, challenge them, and empower one another. Through these exchanges, we move beyond theoretical discussions and think carefully about what ‘qualifications excellence’ means in practice. I am confident that we are gathered here today because of our similar values and priorities, therefore let’s align ourselves and take them forward together for a greater global recognition of our curricula and our institutions.
On that note, thank you once again for being here with us today and I wish you a productive workshop in the coming days.”