Opening Remarks on the ASAIHL Special Issue: Empowering Academia, Inspiring Action: Advancing Climate Solutions Through Southeast Asian Scholarship

It is with great pride and a deep sense of purpose that I write this Foreword as one of the Guest Editors of this distinguished special issue of the Horizon Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Research (JHSSR), dedicated to the 2024 ASAIHL Conference. This edition marks a significant milestone, not only for the Journal but also for the Association of Southeast Asian Institutions of Higher Learning (ASAIHL) and its longstanding commitment to regional and global academic collaboration.

This special issue is more than a collection of conference papers. It is a testament to the intellectual dynamism and ethical urgency with which ASAIHL member institutions approach climate-related challenges. The works presented here blend critical inquiry with practical innovation, demonstrating how academic institutions can—and must—serve as engines of environmental transformation. By foregrounding regional perspectives and grounded solutions, this edition enriches the global discourse on climate justice, ecological resilience, and sustainable development.

I believe this issue will significantly enhance the image of ASAIHL as not only a facilitator of academic exchange but also a leader in championing solutions to global crises. It represents a powerful example of how scholarly collaboration across Southeast Asia can yield insights that resonate far beyond the region.

Looking ahead, Horizon JHSSR is hoping to publish another special issue based on the forthcoming 2025 ASAIHL Conference, to be hosted by Beltei International University in Phnom Penh, Cambodia from July 6–8, 2025. JHSSR eagerly anticipates another rich dialogue among scholars and leaders committed to impactful research and regional advancement.

Citation: Nayan Kanwal. Opening Remarks on the ASAIHL Special Issue – Empowering Academia, Inspiring Action: Advancing Climate Solutions Through Southeast Asian Scholarship. Horizon J. Hum. Soc. Sci. Res.7 (S), xxv–xxvii (2025). https://doi.org/10.37534/bp.jhssr.2025.v7.nS.id4.pxxv-xxvii