From 4 to 6 November 2025, Mae Fah Luang University (MFU) representatives participated in the 19th Annual Review Meeting (ARM) of the Asian International Mobility for Students (AIMS) Programme, held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Putrajaya Lakeside Hotel, Malaysia. The MFU delegation included Asst. Prof. Dr. Somrudee Nilthong, lecturer in Bioscience, School of Science, and Ms. Warunee Kaewbunruang, AIMS Programme Coordinator from the Global Relations Division.
In Session 3: Faculty Group, Asst. Prof. Dr. Somrudee Nilthong shared MFU’s experience and good practices in implementing the AIMS Programme, particularly regarding curriculum management, academic support, and the development of students’ global competences.
Meanwhile, Ms. Warunee Kaewbunruang was invited to serve as facilitator for the International Relations Offices (IROs) Group, where discussions focused on strengthening programme operations under the Bacolod Strategy. Key ideas included enhancing student engagement, increasing programme visibility, building stronger alumni networks, improving the buddy system, and exploring diversified mobility formats. The group also identified three shared priorities for future collaboration:
1. Strengthening funding mechanisms
2. Harmonising visa and fee-related processes
3. Improving data integration and alumni tracking to reinforce long-term connectivity
These contributions highlight MFU’s ongoing role as a leading institution in shaping the future direction of AIMS within the region.
Hosted by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia, in collaboration with SEAMEO RIHED, this year’s ARM brought together nearly 200 delegates from 10 AIMS Member Countries, including Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea and Vietnam. Under the theme “Building Stronger Partnerships for the Future of AIMS,” the meeting served as a premier regional platform for policy dialogue, collaboration, and strategic planning to advance student mobility and higher education cooperation across Asia.
The 19th ARM played a significant role in shaping several key AIMS policy documents, including:
• AIMS Strategic Framework 2026–2028 (Bacolod Strategy)
• AIMS Student Experience and Competence Framework (AIMS Unique Competences)
• AIMS Talent Development Model
• Inputs toward the AIMS Operational Plan 2026–2028
Through plenary and thematic discussions, representatives from governments, higher education institutions, students, and alumni contributed insights to enhance the overall quality, visibility, and long-term sustainability of the AIMS Programme.
Other parallel groups discussed a wide range of topics:
• Government Group: policy alignment, internship strategies, TVET mobility, and addressing imbalanced mobility through bilateral agreements.
• Alumni & Students Group: strengthening the AIMS Alumni Network and promoting a vibrant, inclusive community.
These sessions reaffirmed the shared commitment of member countries to enhance the relevance and impact of the AIMS Programme within the evolving global higher education landscape.
Participants also engaged in Session 4: Parliamentary Debate, an interactive Model Parliament on ASEAN Community Building, encouraging students and alumni to debate regional development issues and policy challenges.
Throughout the meeting, member countries were invited to showcase their institutions through Country Booths, where publications and materials were displayed to promote universities to all participants. MFU actively joined this activity and provided a range of promotional publications highlighting the university’s academic strengths, international programmes, research excellence, and campus environment.
As part of the programme’s commitment to social responsibility, delegates joined University Social Responsibility (USR) activities. MFU representatives contributed to the Groom Project at Zoo Negara, Selangor, supporting wildlife care, habitat maintenance, and environmental education.
MFU’s active participation and leadership roles in the AIMS Programme reflect the university’s strong commitment to advancing international standards of education and promoting student mobility. Over the years, MFU has remained a key contributor to internationalization policy development, academic excellence, and programme implementation—reinforcing its position as one of the leading universities within the AIMS Programme.
