Beyond Skills: Building Employable, Industry-Ready Graduates
Event date
20 & 21 October 2026
Event time
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM MYT daily
Location
Sunway Square @ Sunway University, Kuala Lumpur
Countdown to event
Hosted by Sunway University
Join us in Kuala Lumpur in
A dynamic two-day gathering of education leaders, industry partners and policymakers exploring how institutions can deliver stronger employability outcomes, deeper industry relevance and future-focused innovation.
Programme highlights to watch
Key moments designed to drive real change across ASEAN and beyond.
Featured launch
AppliedHE Public & Private University Rankings:
ASEAN 2027
A headline moment within the event programme, bringing together institutional leaders and partners around the launch of the 2027 ASEAN rankings.
Workshop spotlight
Declaration Workshop for the AppliedHE TVET Ranking
ASEAN Initiative
A dedicated collaborative workshop designed to help shape the direction, principles, and community voice behind the planned TVET ranking framework.
About AppliedHE Xchange 2026 @ Sunway University
The AppliedHE Xchange 2026 brings together leaders from higher education, industry, government and quality assurance to explore how institutions can better prepare graduates for a fast-changing world.
Hosted by Sunway University at the newly launched Sunway Square, this two-day gathering will focus on employability, industry relevance, innovation and the evolving role of education in producing graduates who are ready not only for work, but to make meaningful contributions to society.
Through keynote conversations, panel discussions and strategic exchanges, the event will spotlight practical ideas, new partnerships and forward-looking initiatives that help institutions move beyond theory and deliver stronger outcomes.
Official Host
Sunway University
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Moving beyond theory
Equipping the next generation of graduates with the skills, confidence, and adaptability needed to thrive.
Core pillars
- Adaptability and problem solving
- Effective communication
- Intentional outcomes
Why It Matters
Employers today want more than a degree; they seek graduates who can communicate effectively, solve complex problems and adapt to new technologies.
Success in education is no longer measured by knowledge alone, but by how effectively institutions prepare students for life, work and meaningful contribution in the real world.
Today's graduates need more than qualifications. They need adaptability, practical exposure, confidence, communication skills and the ability to thrive in diverse professional environments. Institutions, in turn, must become more connected to employers, more responsive to change and more intentional about outcomes.
The theme, Beyond Skills, reflects this broader ambition while creating space for important new conversations around applied learning, industry alignment and future benchmarking initiatives.
What Xchange 2026 will put on the table
Explore the pressing topics that will shape the two-day agenda.
Graduate employability and workforce readiness
Stronger employer engagement and industry relevance
Building JOB-Ready, ALUMNI-Ready and SOFT SKILLS-Ready institutions
Innovation in teaching, learning and student outcomes
New approaches to benchmarking and institutional recognition
Partnerships that turn strategy into action
Featured highlight
The Declaration Workshop to help shape the AppliedHE TVET Ranking: ASEAN framework for launch in 2027
Declaration Workshop for the AppliedHE TVET Ranking: ASEAN
As part of Xchange 2026, a dedicated Declaration Workshop will be convened to initiate discussions on the development of the AppliedHE TVET Ranking.
This workshop will bring together key stakeholders to help shape the principles, priorities and community-informed direction of the ranking framework. Guided by the spirit of The People's Voices, the session will serve as the foundation for a more robust, relevant and credible ranking system to be launched in 2027.
The workshop is designed not merely as a discussion, but as a collective step towards building a framework that reflects the realities, aspirations and strengths of institutions delivering applied, career-focused and industry-linked education.
Workshop Modules
Leadership
Workshop chair / facilitator
Audience
All Delegates
Deliverables
Declaration milestones
Participation and nomination details will be added once the workshop process is finalized.
Why this gathering matters beyond the room
As economies evolve and workforce expectations shift, institutions must do more than deliver academic knowledge alone. They must strengthen employer engagement, alumni connectivity, soft skills development and real-world readiness. This is where the AppliedHE ecosystem adds value, by helping institutions build stronger brands, stronger outcomes and stronger links to the world of work.
At the same time, Xchange 2026 will also serve as an important platform for introducing a new initiative in applied and technical education: an AppliedHE TVET Ranking framework shaped by the community through a Declaration Workshop and The People's Voices approach. This marks the beginning of a collaborative journey towards the launch of a robust and credible ranking system in 2027.
Over two dynamic days, AppliedHE Xchange 2026 will serve as a platform for dialogue, collaboration and action around the future of employability-driven education. More than just a conference, it is a platform to spark ideas, build partnerships and shape the next phase of institutional relevance and graduate success.
Be the first to know
Join the waitlist to receive updates on agenda releases, speaker announcements, and exclusive early pricing for AppliedHE Xchange 2026.
Important Date
Early bird registration: 15th April – 15th May 2026
Delegate Pricing
Early Bird
USD 500
Late Bird
USD 600
App.LE Members
USD 450
Register your interest
Fill in your details below to join the waitlist.