EU and ASEAN Launch BizConnect Initiative to Strengthen TVET–Industry Collaboration
Bali (Indonesia) 7 April 2026 - The European Union (EU) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) today launched the BizConnect Training of Trainers (ToT) programme under the EU–ASEAN Sustainable Connectivity Package – Higher Education (SCOPE-HE), reflecting the strong and growing EU–ASEAN Strategic Partnership. Held from 7 to 10 April 2026 in Bali, the regional initiative aims to strengthen collaboration between Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions and the private sector across Southeast Asia.
As economies across ASEAN undergo rapid green and digital transitions, ensuring that education systems remain responsive to evolving labour market needs has become increasingly important. BizConnect addresses this challenge by fostering structured collaboration between TVET institutions and industry, supporting the development of skills relevant to sustainable and technology-driven economies. The training programme will equip participants with practical tools and methodologies to organise BizConnect events in their respective countries and strengthening partnerships between education providers and businesses.
Highlighting the regional importance of stronger collaboration between education systems and industry, Ms Rodora T. Babaran, Director of Human Development at the ASEAN Secretariat, noted in her opening video message that: “Addressing the persistent gap between industry demand and the competencies of many TVET graduates requires innovative solutions and stronger partnerships between education providers and employers. Through BizConnect, we are building a more robust and responsive TVET ecosystem, ensuring that the ASEAN workforce is prepared to navigate technological change and emerging economic opportunities.”
H.E. Sujiro Seam, Ambassador of the European Union to ASEAN, reaffirmed the European Union’s steadfast commitment to enhancing skills cooperation with ASEAN: “Through SCOPE Higher Education, the European Union stands alongside ASEAN in fostering stronger collaborations between TVET institutions and industries. TVET contributes to economic development by creating a skilled workforce that can meet the demands of the evolving labour market. This aligns with the priorities of the EU Global Gateway strategy aim to stimulate economic growth and job creation by establishing modern, effective networks and systems”.
Indonesia, as host of the regional training, also reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing collaboration between education institutions and industry. In his opening remarks, Dr Beny Bandanadjaja, Director General of Learning and Student Affairs (Belmawa) at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, said: “We welcome the BizConnect initiative as an important step in strengthening collaboration between education institutions and industry. Regional cooperation such as this helps ensure that vocational and higher education systems across ASEAN equip learners with the skills required for the green and digital transitions. This initiative aligns with our commitment to ensuring Kemdiktisaintek Berdampak—where every strategic partnership must deliver a tangible impact on graduate employability and national economic progress.”
The four-day training programme brings together trainer candidates from Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Timor-Leste, and Viet Nam, representing government agencies, TVET institutions, and private sector organisations including European chambers of commerce operating in the region. Following the training, participating institutions will organise national BizConnect events between May 2026 and July 2027, featuring company pitches, networking sessions, and school–industry matching activities to support internships, on-the-job training, and industry-informed curricula.
The BizConnect initiative is implemented under SCOPE-HE, part of the European Union’s Global Gateway strategy, which supports sustainable connectivity between the EU and ASEAN through education cooperation, research collaboration, and skills development.
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About ASEAN
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established on 8 August 1967 and constitutes eleven Member States: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Viet Nam, and Timor-Leste. On 31 December 2015, the ASEAN Community was formally established, encompassing the political-security, economic and socio-cultural pillars. The ASEAN Headquarters is based in Jakarta, Indonesia.
For more information, visit https://asean.org/
About the European Union (EU)
The European Union (EU) is the economic and political union of 27 Member States with a population of 470 million. Together, the EU has built a zone of stability, democracy and sustainable development while maintaining cultural diversity, tolerance and individual freedom. In 2012, the EU was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for advancing the goals of peace, reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe. The EU is the world's largest trading bloc, and the world's largest source and destination of foreign direct investment. Collectively, the EU and its Member States are the largest donors of Official Development Assistance (ODA), providing more than half of ODA globally.
The 27 Member States of the EU (in protocol order) are: Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden.
For more information about the EU and its relations and cooperation with ASEAN, access:
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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 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:
https://euinasean.eu/scope-he/