The Central Asian University (CAU) team took part in the QS Higher Ed Summit: Asia Pacific 2025, which was held from November 4 to 6, 2025, at Korea University in Seoul, Republic of Korea. This event is one of the most significant gatherings in the higher education sector of the region, bringing together around 1,500 delegates from various countries around the world. CAU’s participation in the summit opened new opportunities for building partnerships and exchanging experiences with colleagues from across the globe in the interest of the university’s development.
The QS Higher Ed Summit: Asia Pacific has been organized for more than two decades and has established itself as a leading platform for collaboration and innovation in the higher education landscape of the Asia-Pacific region.Each year, it brings together university leaders, industry experts, and government representatives to discuss the future of education, share best practices, and foster strategic partnerships. The prestige of the event is reflected in the high profile of its speakers: this year’s opening ceremony featured, among others, the 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon and Korea University President Dong-wan Kim, who emphasized the importance of preparing students for critical thinking and effective leadership on a global scale.
As part of the summit’s program, CAU Vice-Rector Shirin Yunusova delivered a presentation during the Spotlight Sessions: Partnerships segment titled “From Regional Vision to Global Impact: Building Generational Skills Through Strategic Partnerships.” In her address, she shared CAU’s approach to developing “generational skills” – competencies essential for the professional success of the young generation – through a system of strategic partnerships.
Shirin Yunusova emphasized that by building on a regional vision, CAU is developing international alliances that equip students with modern, in-demand 21st-century skills. As an example, she noted that CAU is already implementing joint educational programs with leading universities in Germany, Switzerland, and the United States, providing young people with access to advanced expertise and global opportunities.
CAU representatives also used the summit as a platform to invite delegates to the upcoming QS Eurasia Forum 2025, which will take place on November 25–26 on the CAU campus in Uzbekistan. The theme of the forum, “Broadening Horizons: Building Global Bridges in Higher Education,” reflects the commitment to expanding horizons and building global connections in the higher education sphere.
The event is expected to bring together leading academic leaders, experts, and industry representatives to discuss the future of higher education in the Eurasian region, exchange ideas and best practices, and strengthen the international competitiveness of universities.
