Rafiza HASHIM

Abstract: International student mobility is being reshaped by changing student expectations and rapid technological advances, including AI. This session draws a study from the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU), a network of more than 60 research universities across 20 economies, offering a diverse platform for examining mobility trends across varied cultural, policy, and institutional contexts. Based on a cross-member survey, the session highlights common priorities and structural barriers, including financial constraints, credit transfer issues, and unequal participation. It also reveals strong institutional ambition for growth, innovation, and more flexible mobility models. Using APRU’s transnational network, the session places these findings in comparative perspective through institutional case studies, identifying both shared challenges and region-specific responses shaped by local culture, funding, and policy environments. Building on the survey findings, the speakers will explore how AI can strengthen mobility ecosystems through smarter advising, personalised programme matching, and data-informed planning that expands access and supports institutional strategy. Combining network-wide evidence with institutional examples, the session offers a practical and forward-looking view of how universities can make mobility more inclusive, data-informed, and resilient in the AI age. Learning objectives: - Interpret comparative evidence on student mobility trends, barriers, and priorities across a diverse network spanning multiple countries regions - Identify inclusive and flexible mobility models, and network-based approaches that respond to evolving student needs - Benchmark institutional practices against peer universities in different cultural and policy contexts, recognising where solutions are globally shared or locally specific - Apply insights from case studies across APRU members to inform institutional strategies for scaling equitable and sustainable mobility programmes - Understand how AI can be practically integrated into mobility ecosystems Target audience: - Directors / Heads of Global Engagement, International Office, or Mobility - Managers of Global Learning / Study Abroad - Leaders overseeing exchange partnerships and mobility programmes

Abstract: Inclusivity in higher education within the Asia Pacific and ASEAN regions remains pivotal to securing equitable societal development. Addressing ongoing structural exclusions, the ASEAN University Network – Disability and Public Policy Network (AUN-DPPnet) is developing the ASEAN Inclusive Campus Guideline. This regional framework is strategically grounded in the UM-InOKU blueprint—an inclusive campus guideline pioneered byUniversiti Malaya. The guideline operates across four critical pillars, namely Policy and Governance, Teaching and Learning, Campus Accessibility and Support Services. These pillars provide a topical and structured framework for universities to systematically implement inclusive practices. This presentation will showcase the ongoing initiatives by the Universiti Malaya in collaborating with neighbouring countries to materialise the four pillars. One innovative initiative was to spearhead the mobility programmes involving Malaysian students with disabilities by offering outbound opportunities to Indonesia in May and Thailand in August and September, to promote cross country partnership, cross-border learning, and multi-cultural exchange. These initiatives accelerate the materialization of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the Asia Pacific. It drives SDG 4 (Quality Education) by securing equal tertiary access, SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by empowering persons with disabilities, and SDG Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by bridging the gap between crosscountry collaboration. Learning objectives: To implement policies governing campus inclusivity to ensure equal opportunities for students with disabilities To establish accessible campus environment by removing barriers through universal design To provide meaningful and holistic approach that support students with disabilities both inside the classroom and within the broader community To learn about international partnership that allows institutions to exchange global best practices in creating inclusivity for students with disabilities at campus Target audience: University management, policymakers, academic staff, support staff, disability service personnels, accessibility experts, student support personnels, curriculum designers, researchers, students with disabilities, non-governmental organisations, public and private organisations and individuals interested in inclusivity.