KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 7 — The Putrajaya Festival of Ideas (FOI) is set to be included in Asean’s higher education programme next year, said Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir.
Zambry said the move follows Asean Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn’s keen interest in the initiative after attending the event earlier this week.
“The Asean Secretary-General told me he wants FOI to be part of Asean’s higher education programmes,” he said.
“We’re hoping to include FOI in Asean’s calendar of events next year. This year, we already saw participation from Indonesia’s and the Philippines’ higher education ministers — they stayed for three days and were very impressed, as not many places in Asia host such events,” he added.
FOI 2025, which runs from November 4 to 8 at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre, has also been recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records for hosting the Most Intellectual Discourse Sessions in an Innovation Ideas Event.
The festival featured over 120 sessions — including forums, workshops, robotics competitions, art performances and more — attracting more than 300,000 visitors. It also hosted over 2,000 exhibitors across 200 pavilions and booths.
The event was previously graced by Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, the Queen of Malaysia.
