NEW DELHI: Dr Elizabeth Lee, Group CEO of the Sunway Education Group, on Thursday delivered a keynote address at the NXT Summit 2026, calling for stronger investment, philanthropy and institutional vision to shape the future of global education.
Speaking during the “Next in Education” session on Day 1 of the summit at Bharat Mandapam, Lee emphasized the need to build educational institutions capable of enduring beyond individual generations while driving societal transformation.
Highlighting the historical educational ties between India and Malaysia, Lee noted that both nations inherited structures from the British colonial education system and have long shared academic exchanges. She acknowledged the role played by Indian teachers in shaping Malaysia’s early education system and said such connections demonstrate that institutions evolve through the efforts of many generations.
Lee stressed that education remains a critical tool for nation-building, describing universities as engines of social mobility, innovation and economic progress. “Universities do more than confer degrees. They equip the next generation with knowledge and skills, drive scientific research and serve as centres of innovation and culture,” she said.
She also spoke about the emerging concept of “University 5.0”, which envisions borderless, globally connected institutions focused on societal impact, sustainability and collaborative value creation. According to Lee, higher education must continually renew its relevance to society in order to remain meaningful.
A significant portion of her address focused on the role of philanthropy and private capital in strengthening educational systems. Lee cited the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation, which governs Sunway’s institutions, as an example of how philanthropic investment can drive systemic change. The foundation has disbursed more than 967 million Malaysian ringgit in scholarships, benefiting thousands of students.
She also called for nurturing “global citizens rooted in Asian values”, emphasizing qualities such as community responsibility, humility and stewardship while remaining globally engaged.
Lee further advocated for viewing educational institutions as social enterprises—organisations that measure success not only through enrolment or rankings but through their ability to uplift communities, expand opportunity and generate long-term societal impact.
Concluding her address, Lee urged policymakers, educators and institutions across Asia to collaborate in building enduring educational ecosystems. “When we invest in institutions that outlive us, we do more than build universities. We build the foundations of Asia’s future,” she said.