Celebrating 10 years of PLUM

With a collective population of over 680 million people, Southeast Asia has been widely recognised as one of the world’s fastest growing regions, where opportunities for innovation and development in all sectors abound. Teeming with creativity and enterprise, universities in this region play an important role in cultivating and actively channelling the talent in our communities, while also contributing towards nation building and economic development.

Recognising a need for university leaders in Asia to develop models and practices of university governance and management to meet the ever-changing needs of society, Temasek Foundation and the National University of Singapore came together to initiate the Programme for Leadership in University Management (PLUM). Since its first run in 2012, the programme has had close to 300 participants, from more than 30 universities, across 10 countries.

Uplifting higher education in ASEAN has always been the main tenet of PLUM. Over the past decade, the increasing focus on and investment in higher education have resulted in the rising profiles and global standings of ASEAN universities. However, there are new challenges to be addressed, such as in the areas of pedagogy transformation and research excellence, as well as adapting best practices to fit Southeast Asian higher education and management ethos.

With the regular gathering of ASEAN university leaders at PLUM, we hope to provide the continued opportunity for a meaningful exchange of ideas, building invaluable relationships, and developing excellence in university leadership and governance.

As we look back on the past decade of PLUM, we trust that PLUM has inspired past delegates and continues to inspire the next generation of ASEAN university leaders. The sharing of our collective challenges, experiences, and aspirations, as well as anticipating future disruptions, will undoubtedly make a real impact on the way ASEAN universities have and will evolve.

PLUM 2022

A look at PLUM 2022

History of PLUM

PLUM through the years

Nov 2022

The PLUM 10-year Anniversary Summit

Fifty university leaders, from over 30 universities across 10 countries, gathered at NUS to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of PLUM’s inception. At this summit, leaders discussed transformation in higher education, innovation and entrepreneurship, and sustainability efforts in ASEAN.

Q1 2021

Follow-up meetings with four universities

These online meetings covered queries arising from PLUM 2021 topics and discussions on possible collaborations.

Apr 2021

The 6th PLUM

PLUM was held online for the first time, and attracted 55 attendees from 6 countries, the largest cohort since 2012. Given the global crisis at the time, PLUM 2021 focused on post-pandemic adaptations and developments in higher education and Southeast Asia.

Q4 2019

Follow-up trips to six universities

These visits included presentations on internationalisation in higher education in the NUS and Singapore context.

Feb 2019

The 5th PLUM: The ASEAN Miracle: Opportunities for Regional Growth in Higher Education

Focusing on innovation and entrepreneurship, and the trends and opportunities for ASEAN higher education, 33 participants attended PLUM 2019, including first-time participants from Laos, from the National University of Laos.

Q3 2017 &
Q1 2018

Follow-up trips to six universities

Workshops on internationalisation and HR transformation for admin staff were conducted during these trips.

Mar 2017

The 4th PLUM: Internationalisation: The Way Forward for SEA Universities

The fourth PLUM comprised a total of 37 participants from 18 universities, including first-time attendees from Myanmar, from Yangon University and Mandalay University. In keeping with the theme, the programme included discussions of integrating international students into campus life, and international research partnership and benchmarking.

Q2 & Q4
2016

Follow-up trips to five universities

Areas such as strategic planning and HR management for admin staff were discussed at these meetings.

Apr 2016

The 3rd PLUM

Held in conjunction with the second Global Learning Council Symposium, PLUM 2016 included guest speakers from around the world, and 30 participants from six ASEAN countries, discussing topics such as global learning opportunities of the fourth industrial revolution, and teaching and learning technologies.

Q4 2014 -
Q1 2015

Follow-up trips to seven universities

Some of the items discussed included university governance, internationalisation, educational innovation, and NUS’ strategies and transformations over the past decade towards becoming a leading global university centred in Asia.

Apr 2014

The 2nd PLUM

PLUM was shortened from five to three days. Thirty-five rising leaders from 18 universities across seven countries were nominated to attend. New topics such as educational innovations at NUS University Town and IT-enhanced learning were included in the programme.

Q3 2012

Follow-up trips to five universities

The trips provided insights into what mattered to Southeast Asian universities, avenues for collaboration, and topics that could be explored at future PLUMs.

Mar 2012

The inaugural PLUM for presidents and deans of ASEAN universities

NUS ran a five-day executive education programme for 55 participants, from 17 universities, across seven countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. Among the issues discussed were the opportunities and challenges in Asian higher education, quality assurance frameworks, and internationalisation strategies.

Aug 2011

NUS and Temasek Foundation developed the idea for PLUM
NUS and Temasek Foundation partnered to develop a programme for building leadership and ties across universities in Asia, leveraging on NUS’ position as a leading global university with expertise in Asia.