ASEAN, EU deepen higher education cooperation to support a sustainable blue economy
ASEAN, EU deepen higher education cooperation to support a sustainable blue economy
Manila,27 October 2026 – The European Union (EU) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) today convened the 4th EU-ASEAN Policy Dialogue on Higher Education in Manila, reaffirming their shared commitment to advancing cooperation in education, skills, and innovation as part of their strategic partnership.
Held on 27-28 October 2026, the Dialogue is organised under the EU-funded Sustainable Connectivity Package – Higher Education (SCOPE-HE), in collaboration with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) of the Philippines.
Bringing together policymakers, higher education and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, and industry representatives, the Dialogue focuses on how education systems can better respond to evolving skills demands and support the transition towards a sustainable blue economy.
Strengthening a Strategic Partnership
Opening the Dialogue, ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn underlined the importance of higher education cooperation in advancing ASEAN’s vision for an inclusive and sustainable region. “Whether the blue economy succeeds will come down to more than growth figures; it will show in whether our oceans hold up, whether communities are stronger, and whether young people have real prospects. Education is how we get there. If we can connect policy with practice, research with industry, and talent with opportunity, ASEAN and the European Union can build a blue economy worth the name,” he said.
Dr Radomir Jansky, Deputy Head of the EU Mission to ASEAN highlighted the role of education and skills within the EU’s Global Gateway strategy. “This policy dialogue is organised as part of the EU–ASEAN Sustainable Connectivity Package – Higher Education Programme, under the European Union’s Global Gateway strategy. Through Global Gateway, the European Union, together with its Member States, works with partners to build reliable, sustainable, and inclusive connections that bring real benefits to people. This includes supporting the blue economy through investment in maritime sectors, skills, research, innovation, and resilient coastal and ocean-based livelihoods,” he said.
Aligning Skills and Innovation with the Blue Economy
As both regions advance their sustainable growth agendas, discussions in Manila focus on how higher education and TVET systems can better support shared priorities in the blue economy and key sectors such as fisheries, maritime transport, coastal tourism, and offshore renewable energy.
Reflecting the Dialogue’s emphasis on practical outcomes, CHED Chairperson Dr Shirley C. Agrupis emphasised the importance of translating cooperation into action. “Higher education and TVET systems play a central role in equipping learners with the skills needed for sustainable development. This Dialogue provides an important platform to strengthen cooperation and translate shared priorities into action,” she said.
From Dialogue to Action
Building on previous ASEAN–EU Policy Dialogues, participants will work towards identifying practical solutions to strengthen education–industry linkages, promote inclusive mobility, and enhance cross-regional cooperation.
This Dialogue will contribute to the Manila Policy Brief, providing actionable recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders to advance cooperation and support sustainable and inclusive growth.
-----------
About SCOPE-HE Programme
The EU-ASEAN Sustainable Connectivity Package – Higher Education (SCOPE-HE) is a collaborative initiative funded by the European Union (EU) and approved by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), running from February 2024 to January 2028 with a budget of EUR 9.3 million. Implemented by Nuffic, the Dutch organisation for internationalisation in education, in partnership with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), SCOPE-HE builds on previous programmes like EU Support for Higher Education in ASEAN Region (SHARE) and ERASMUS+.
The SCOPE-HE programme focuses on enhancing exchanges and connectivity in higher education, research, and technical and vocational education and training within ASEAN and between ASEAN and the EU, with particular emphasis on the green transition, digital transformation, and the blue economy. Key activities include facilitating student and academic mobility, strengthening university networks to foster research collaboration, and improving graduate employability by connecting vocational education institutions with the private sector. Through these efforts, SCOPE-HE aims to create a more connected and dynamic higher education landscape, empowering future generations and strengthening the economic and social fabric of the region.
For more information about the SCOPE-HE programme, access: https://euinasean.eu/scope-he/