The European Union Strengthens EU-ASEAN Research Collaboration with SCOPE-HE Academic Connectivity Grants

Three University Clusters Selected to Drive Research and Innovation across Both Regions

Jakarta, 14 May 2025 – The European Union (EU) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have taken a major step forward in strengthening research collaboration through the EU-funded SCOPE-HE Research Connectivity Workshop, held on 14-15 May 2025 in Jakarta, Indonesia. 

Organised under the EU-ASEAN Sustainable Connectivity Package – Higher Education Programme (SCOPE-HE), the workshop brought together representatives from European and ASEAN universities, policymakers, and international experts. The event marks a key milestone in building cross-regional academic partnerships and advancing joint research initiative in areas of global importance: the green transition, digital transformation, and the blue economy.

A Commitment to Tackling Global Challenges

Launched in July 2024, SCOPE-HE is a €9.3 million programme, implemented by Nuffic (The Dutch organisation for the internationalisation of education) in partnership with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). It aims to enhance student and academic mobility, strengthen university networks, and improve graduate employability through collaboration between ASEAN and EU higher education institutions.

H.E. Sujiro Seam, the EU Ambassador to ASEAN, emphasised that research and innovation is one of the priorities of the ASEAN-EU Strategic Partnership (2023-2027). Ambassador Seam congratulated the three university clusters who were selected out of the 120 proposals received. Establishing stronger EU-ASEAN cross-regional university networks will be an effective and sustainable approach to jointly tackling global challenges. He also highlighted the EU flagship research and innovation programme, Horizon Europe, with a budget of €95.5 billion, and encouraged researchers from ASEAN to use the opportunity to participate in this programme.

Empowering Research Cluster

A highlight of the event was the formal gathering of the three newly selected research clusters under the SCOPE-HE Academic Connectivity Grant to boost research collaboration: 

• GreenTrans-EDU – Led by Ilmenau University of Technology in Germany, this project comprises six universities from France, Germany, Indonesia and the Philippines to advance sustainability through research and education. 

• DIGIHAZ – Led by University of Alicante in Spain, the DIGIHAZ project seeks to strengthen research capacities between six higher education institutions in Spain, Greece, Malaysia, and the Philippines to address the growing risks of natural hazards. 

• STABLE – Led by IPB University in Bogor, Indonesia, the STABLE project aims to modernise marine science education and advance the Blue Economy through collaboration between five institutions from Germany, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Netherlands.

These clusters unite universities from the EU and ASEAN, positioning them to contribute meaningfully to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to further strengthen EU-ASEAN research and higher education collaboration.

The two-day programme featured expert panels and parallel sessions, covering the role of science diplomacy, the importance of robust financial and administrative management, and strategies for better integrating research into teaching. These discussions laid the groundwork for a dynamic EU-ASEAN research ecosystem built on excellence, transparency, and equal partnership.

About SCOPE-HE Programme

The EU-ASEAN Sustainable Connectivity Package – Higher Education Programme (SCOPE-HE) is a collaborative initiative funded 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 9.3 million euros. Implemented by Nuffic, the Dutch organisation for internationalisation in education, in partnership with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), SCOPE-HE builds upon the successes of 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 HERE

DAAD

DAAD

DAAD

DAAD