On the morning of May 21, 2025, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education (HCMUTE), in collaboration with the Asia-Pacific Consortium of Researchers and Educators (APCORE), held the opening ceremony of the Asian Graduate Studies Summit (A-GRASS 2025). Themed “Bridging Knowledge to Action: Transformative Graduate Education and Research for a Sustainable Asia,” the summit aims to foster practical and transformative contributions toward sustainable development in the region.
The three-day summit, taking place from May 21 to 23, 2025, serves as a multidisciplinary platform for researchers, faculty, graduate students, policymakers, and experts across the region. Through in-depth discussions, research presentations, and academic networking, A-GRASS 2025 seeks to enhance cross-border and interdisciplinary collaboration, contributing significantly to Asia’s sustainable development goals.
Partner Universities and Keynote Speakers
Participating partner universities of HCMUTE include: Bicol University, Burapha University, Holy Trinity University, Lyceum of the Philippines University – Manila, Mountain Province State University, Philippine Normal University, Politeknik Piksi Ganesha, Quezon City University, Universidad de Manila, and University of Perpetual Help System DALTA.
Keynote speakers include Prof. Dr. Qi XinJian, Deputy Director of the UNESCO International Research and Training Centre for Rural Education in Beijing, China, and Dr. Tran Nam Tu, Deputy Director General of the Department of Science, Technology and Environment, Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam (joining online). The summit also welcomed members of the APCORE Advisory Board: Prof. Dr. Ir. Mohd Jailani Bin Mohd Nor (Chairman), Prof. Dr. Racidon P. Bernarte (Executive Director), and Assoc. Prof. Witawat Jangiam (Chief Operating Officer).
More than 500 scholars, researchers, policymakers, and sector experts from countries including Vietnam, the Philippines, Cambodia, Malaysia, China, Thailand, India, Russia, South Korea, Pakistan, Ethiopia, and Nigeria attended the summit both in-person and virtually.
Representing HCMUTE were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chau Dinh Thanh – Vice President, along with leaders from several faculties and departments.
Opening Remarks and Highlights
In his keynote speech, Prof. Dr. Racidon Bernarte – Executive Director of APCORE, emphasized that A-GRASS 2025 is more than an academic conference; it embodies a shared belief that graduate education holds the power to shape the future. Facing complex global challenges such as climate change, the research community must take action. “We must promote interdisciplinary approaches and translate knowledge into tangible action for societal stability and sustainable development. Our mission goes beyond knowledge discovery – it’s about connecting, sharing, and acting for a better future,” he said.
In his opening address, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chau Dinh Thanh – Vice President of HCMUTE, stressed the essential role of graduate education in fostering regional sustainable development. Amid rapidly evolving global changes, bridging knowledge and action is not merely a trend, but a responsibility of the academic community. He affirmed HCMUTE’s commitment to expanding cooperation, sharing resources, and creating practical initiatives to address Asia’s development challenges.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Witawat Jangiam – Chair of A-GRASS 2025, Chief Operating Officer of APCORE, Dean of the Graduate School at Burapha University, and member of Thailand’s MHESI council on Higher Education Quality and Standards – shared that A-GRASS 2025 is where innovation meets tradition, where history converges with the future, and theory blends with practice. “This summit is a place for us to learn and grow together, to open new avenues of collaboration, and to connect in ways that empower the co-creation of our shared future,” he stated. He expressed his hope that small ideas sparked here will blossom into impactful initiatives and lasting academic networks for a sustainable Asia.
Sharing similar sentiments, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Jailani Bin Mohd Nor from Universiti Teknikal Malaysia and Chairman of APCORE, affirmed that sustainable regional development cannot happen without graduate education and international cooperation. He emphasized that through initiatives like A-GRASS, the academic community is building a robust knowledge foundation where ideas flourish, values are shared, and innovative solutions are cultivated.
Online Presentation and Thematic Sessions
Dr. Tran Nam Tu, Deputy Director General of the Department of Science, Technology and Environment, Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam, delivered a virtual presentation titled "Bridging Knowledge to Action: Transformative Graduate Education and Research for a Sustainable Asia.” He highlighted Asia’s growing influence on the global stage through its increasing research and innovation capacity. He also presented practical examples from Vietnam, such as university-business collaboration models, sustainability-oriented academic programs, and transformative research related to digital transformation and climate adaptation.
Engaging Discussions on Pedagogical Innovation
The summit’s first discussion session titled “Pedagogical Innovations and Sustainable Research in Graduate Education: Perils, Pitfalls, and Pearls” featured a dynamic exchange among speakers including Dr. Rosales, Dr. Morales, Dr. Vaddahana, Dr. Cue, Dr. Diep Phuong Chi, and Dr. Tucpi. The session addressed practical experiences and challenges in implementing pedagogical innovations, laying the groundwork for further in-depth activities at A-GRASS 2025. The session underscored the summit’s role as a vital bridge for scholars to explore innovative solutions and drive collaborative action for transformative graduate education and a more sustainable Asia.
MOU Signing Ceremony
Later that afternoon, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony took place in Meeting Room II, involving 30 higher education institutions from the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Cambodia. The MOU signifies a shared commitment to strengthening inter-university collaboration in various areas:
Joint research and publication: enabling co-authored outputs and collaborative research projects.
Academic exchange programs: fostering student and faculty mobility for interdisciplinary learning and cross-cultural understanding.
Capacity-building initiatives: organizing workshops, seminars, and training programs to enhance research and academic leadership capacity.
Co-hosting academic events: such as conferences, research summits, and graduate education forums including A-GRASS.
Resource sharing: facilitating the exchange of research materials, learning resources, and digital tools to support academic development and innovation.
