Sunway Resort Hotel
Persiaran Lagoon, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
AppliedHE Xchange 2026
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 University @ Sunway Square, Malaysia
Countdown to event
Hosted by
Sunway University
Join us in Malaysia in
000 Day
00 Hrs
00 Min
00 Sec
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.
Event highlights
Programme highlights to watch
Key moments designed to drive real change across ASEAN and beyond.
Full event agenda coming soon
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.
Grand Panel Discussions
Two Powerful Conversations Shaping What Comes Next
A lively pair of panel discussions tackling some of the biggest questions in education today.
Indicative topics:
- Beyond Academic Knowledge: Why Applied Learning, Skills and Adaptability Matter More Than Ever
- Human Skills in a Digital Age: What Must Not Be Lost
Special Session
How do users understand university performance rankings?
Behavioural and cognitive perspectives
By Professor Richard M. Walker
Lee Shau Kee Foundation Chair Professor of Public Administration, Government and International Affairs, Lingnan University, Hong Kong, China
Spotlight Session: University Elevator Pitches
Five universities,
two minutes each.
A lively showcase where participating institutions present who they are, what makes them distinctive, and why they matter - all in just two minutes!
Two Parallel Breakout Sessions
Focused conversations offering deeper discussion on key issues shaping institutional relevance and student success.
Topic 1
Institutional sustainability and impact: alumni and industry engagement
Topic 2
Soft skills and graduate readiness: preparing students for the world of work
TVET Country Spotlight
Where We Are and
Where We Are Going
A timely regional session exploring how ASEAN countries are rethinking TVET to respond to changing workforce needs, strengthen quality and improve job readiness.
About the event
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
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.
Key conversations
What Xchange 2026 will put on the table
Explore the pressing topics that will shape the two-day agenda.
1
Graduate employability and workforce readiness
2
Stronger employer engagement and industry relevance
3
Building JOB-Ready, ALUMNI-Ready and SOFT SKILLS-Ready institutions
4
Innovation in teaching, learning and student outcomes
5
New approaches to benchmarking and institutional recognition
6
Partnerships that turn strategy into action
Featured highlight
The Declaration Workshop to help shape the AppliedHE TVET Ranking: ASEAN framework for launch in 2027
Featured Highlight
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.
Accommodation
Official Hotels for AppliedHE
Xchange 2026 @ Sunway University
Access preferred delegate rates directly through the official booking links below. Each card includes the hotel address and quick map access.
Booking guideline
To access the official discounted rates, please follow the booking guideline instructions before selecting your preferred hotel.
Sunway Pyramid Hotel
Persiaran Lagoon, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Sunway Lagoon Hotel
Jalan 11/15, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
The bigger purpose
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.
Partnerships
Sponsorship Packages
Elevate your brand and connect with higher education leaders by securing a sponsorship package.
Platinum Sponsor
$15,000.00
Includes 8× Delegate Pass
- Double Booth
- Premium pull-up banner (Self-Produced, high-traffic zone)
- Hero leaderboard banner (970 × 250)
- Logo prominence on all channels
- Digital certificate & e-badge
- Institution brochure insert in conference bag
- 5-minute speaking slot at Gala Dinner
- Elevator Pitch slot
- GDPR-compliant attendee list
- App.LE Club membership (1 year)
Gold Sponsor
$12,800.00
Includes 6× Delegate Pass
- Double-wide booth
- Premium pull-up banner (Self-Produced, high-traffic zone)
- Leaderboard banner (728 × 90)
- Logo prominence on all channels
- Digital certificate & e-badge
- Institution brochure insert in conference bag
- Elevator Pitch slot
- GDPR-compliant attendee list
Silver Sponsor
$7,000.00
Includes 4× Delegate Pass
- Standard booth
- Sidebar banner (300 × 250)
- Logo prominence on all channels
- Digital certificate & e-badge
- Institution brochure insert in conference bag
Bronze Sponsor
$5,000.00
Includes 2× Delegate Pass
- Standard Booth
- Logo prominence on selected channels
- Digital certificate & e-badge
- Institution brochure insert in conference bag
Registration Now Open
Secure Your Spot Today
Join higher education leaders, innovators, and policy-makers in Kuala Lumpur. Access our full event platform to view delegate pricing, submit nominations, and complete your registration.