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Commonwealth Tertiary Education Facility (CTEF)

COMMONWEALTH TERTIARY EDUCATION FACILITY SYMPOSIUM 2026

Tertiary Education Development in The Commonwealth: 
Excellence, Mobility and Partnership

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Shaping the Future of Tertiary Education

Join the Commonwealth Tertiary Education Facility (CTEF) Symposium 2026 and be part of a meaningful platform bringing together academics, policymakers and higher education practitioners to explore the evolving landscape of tertiary education across the Commonwealth.

Discover new perspectives on institutional excellence, academic mobility, transnational education, digitalisation and international partnerships, while engaging in thought-provoking discussions on the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of higher education.

Date & Time

29 October 2026 (Thursday)

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Venue

Zenith Hotel Putrajaya

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Introduction

Tertiary education across Commonwealth countries is increasingly shaped by internationalisation, academic mobility, transnational education (TNE), and institutional collaboration. The developments provide significant opportunities to strengthen university excellence, enhance global engagement, promote knowledge exchange, and produce graduates equipped with the competencies required for an increasingly interconnected world. Student mobility and international partnerships play a vital role in advancing academic quality, employability, innovation, and institutional capacity building.

Despite these opportunities, higher education institutions continue to face a range of challenges, including resource constraints, policy and regulatory differences, quality assurance concerns, unequal partnerships, digital divides, and skills mismatches with evolving labour market demands. Addressing these issues requires stronger cooperation, policy alignment, inclusive governance, and sustainable partnership models that promote reciprocity, local relevance, and equitable participation.

As a unique platform for collaboration and policy dialogue, the Commonwealth offers significant potential to strengthen cooperation among tertiary education institutions through shared learning, capacity building, and innovative approaches to internationalisation. By fostering inclusive partnerships, enhancing mobility frameworks, and leveraging digital transformation, universities can contribute to more accessible, equitable, and sustainable higher education systems across the Commonwealth.

Objectives

  • This symposium aims to explore strategies for advancing tertiary education development across the Commonwealth countries by strengthening institutional excellence, academic mobility, and international partnerships. It will promote policy dialogue and knowledge exchange on quality assurance, governance, transnational education (TNE), and inclusive collaboration to support sustainable and equitable higher education outcomes.

Key Questions

  • How do universities in Commonwealth countries strengthen collaboration and academic mobility while addressing policy, regulatory, resource, and quality assurance challenges?

  • In what ways academic mobility, transnational education (TNE), and international partnerships enhance university excellence, graduate employability, and workforce readiness?

  • How digitalisation and emerging developments in higher education promote more inclusive, accessible, and effective learning opportunities across the Commonwealth?

  • What strategies are required to foster equitable partnerships and support sustainable tertiary education development aligned with national and regional priorities?

Meet Our Experts

Speakers

Tentative Programme

0800
Registration & Breakfast
0900
Overview of CTEF

Associate Professor Dr Thien Lei Mee
Director
Commonwealth Tertiary Education Facility
0915
Welcoming Remarks

Honourable Datuk Professor Dr Azlinda Azman
Director General of Higher Education
Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia
0930
Opening Remarks

Honourable Mr Ahmad Rizal Adnan
Deputy Secretary-General (Policy)
Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia
0950
Group Photo
1000
Keynote

“The Future of Tertiary Education: Digital Transformation, Emerging Trends and Preparing for Tomorrow’s Economies”.

Honourable Ms Maki Katsuno-Hayashikawa
Director, UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office, Jakarta
UNESCO Representative (Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Philippines, and Timor-Leste)
1045
Refreshments & Networking Session
1100
Plenary 1

“Shaping the Future of Tertiary Education across the Commonwealth: Trends, Challenges and Opportunities for Cooperation”

Moderator:

Professor Dr Wan Chang Da
School of Education, Taylor’s University Malaysia

Professor Ganesan Kannabiran
Professor (HAG) & Director National Assessment and Accreditation Council, India

Professor Ts Dr Yatimah Alias
Vice-Chancellor, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah

Professor Dr Stephen Boyle
Vice President (Education), Monash University, Malaysia

Professor Dato' Gs Dr Narimah Samat
School of Humanities, Universiti Sains Malaysia
1230
Lunch
1430
Plenary 2

“Beyond Borders: Reimagining Transnational Education Through Policy, Partnerships and Student Mobility”

Moderator:

Mr Muhammad Afif Ahmad Sabri
Head, Special Projects, Education Malaysia Global Services

Ms Nordiana Mohd Nordin 
Senior Principal Assistant Director, Internalisation of Higher Education Division, Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia

Professor Ts Dr Murali Raman
Deputy Vice Chancellor, Asia Pacific University, Malaysia

Ms Prabha Sundram
Head of Education, British Council Malaysia

Professor Hazel Ramoz
Vice-Provost for Teaching & Learning, University of Nottingham Malaysia
1600
Closing Remarks

Honourable Datin Noorazah Omar
Undersecretary, International Relations Division
Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia
1630
Tea Break & End

Have Any Questions?
Feel Free to Reach Out.

Our team is happy to assist you with any enquiries regarding registration, programme details, speakers, or participation.

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