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
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.
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.
The workshop also featured high-level remarks from San Lwin, Deputy Secretary General for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, Dr. Kai Sicks, Secretary General of DAAD, and Brianda Zoet, Team Leader and Acting Manager Pillar Europe, Nuffic.
In his remarks, San Lwin expressed his hope that the workshop will give rise to a vibrant cross-regional network of higher education institutions—one that shares best practices and nurtures a dynamic community of researchers dedicated to real-world impact. He looked forward to a deepened understanding of the role of science diplomacy, and the value of open and collaborative research ecosystems that transcend borders.
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.
