PUTRAJAYA, Nov 4 — A host at the Putrajaya Idea Festival 2025 today used Korean greetings to welcome Asean Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn, who is from Cambodia.
Emcee Nazrudin Habibur Rahman, best known for hosting TV3’s popular food and travel show Jalan-Jalan Cari Makan, welcomed the Asean chief to the stage with Korean phrases as he was about to deliver his keynote address.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we are honoured this morning with the presence of His Excellency Dr Kao Kim Hourn, secretary-general of Asean with us today.
“Saranghaeyo, kamsahamnida,” Nazrudin said, using the Korean expressions for “I love you” and “thank you.”
Kao, who has served as Asean secretary-general since 2023, brushed it off and proceeded with his address as scheduled.
In his speech, Kao called on Southeast Asia’s higher education leaders to play a greater role in shaping the region’s future, saying that universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions must lead efforts to drive innovation, sustainability and regional unity under the Asean Community Vision 2045.
He outlined six priorities for education reform in the region, including adaptive learning, values-based education, responsible research, leadership development for young scholars, integrating planetary health into curricula, and strengthening TVET as a first-choice pathway for future talent.
Kao said education should serve as the “engine of innovation and social transformation” for Asean, adding that skills and ethics must go hand in hand in preparing students to lead amid technological disruption and climate challenges.
