A delegate team, consists of seven members led by Professor Dr. Yousuf M Islam, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of Daffodil International University, joined the book launching ceremony of Professor Dr Suhail Inayatullah, UNESCO Chair of Future Studies at Borders bookshop, MesaMall, Nilai, Malaysia on 8th August 2018. Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) was the publisher and one of the organizers of the book launching session.

Three Vice Chancellors of three different universities from country and abroad with faculty members and participants were present in the ceremony. After lively discussion session by the author, co- author and discussants, an effective question answer session was held for further clarification.

The first book entitled Asia 2018 aims to provide a working route map of the nature of both the disruption and the many possibilities ahead, so that wiser decisions can be made today for embracing a better tomorrow. In addition the book also outlines visions for Asia 2038, based on decades of conducting workshops and interviews with a range of people across number of shared desired the region.

Using insights from hundreds of foresight workshops in Asia, ASIA 2038 explores ten key disruptive emerging issues. The rise of Asian women, The new extended Asian family, The end of the God King and the Big Man, Along with an analysis of these disruptions, stories are New facilitated models of learning and teaching, The wandering societies of Asia, Climate change leading to institutionalized foresight, The great migration to Asia, Towards an Asian confederation, Asia leading in the transition to a spiritual post-capitalist society; and An Asia that says yes to itself. Along with an analysis of these disruptions, stories are used to illustrate these new futures.

Inayatullah and co-author Lu Na argued that Asia is in the midst of a major and foundational shift. The shift is not only related to the spheres of economy, technology and geo-politics; equally important are current and coming social and cultural changes. But this book is not just about what is likely to happen, it focuses more on using the future to create desired visions, since what we can foresee and imagine, we can also create. Asia 2038 is thus not only about emerging trends and disruptions. It is also about imagining the best version of Asia; an Asia that continues to innovate and flourish in ways that can benefit current and future generations.

The second book entitled Transformation 2050 (2018) Transformation 2050: The Alternative Futures of Malaysian Universities By Sohail Inayatullah and Fazidah Ithnin upholds some of the purified ideas and thoughts, regarding the futures of higher education in Malaysia on global perspective.

Transformation 2050: The Alternative Futures of Malaysian Universities inculcates the design of the most expected future using the six pillars approach - encouraging university leaders to envision best-case scenarios involving university leadership, teaching, and learning, students and academics.

The book is significant for the following features:

- Malaysian higher education is in the process of massive changes primarily due to globalization, digitalization, the development of a knowledge economy, and demographic transitions.

- As much as feasibly possible to create a far more flexible system - more choices for students and academics. This system can be called the “healthy buffet” or the “education mall” or when it comes to talent, the analogy of the Swiss army knife. In any case, the factory model or the “force-feed” scenario has reached its limits. New systems of assessment and cooperation need to be invented.

- The ethical cannot be lost sight of; indeed, it is crucial to the future. Whether the cooperative of professors, the murabbi or the university based on social justice, scholars are clear that the ways forward must enshrine ethics in the future. Opaque institutions biased by politics and bureaucratic inference tinged with favouritism have no place in the future.

- All these possible changes must proceed with cooperative leadership and decision-making. Leadership must hold the vision of the future, but full participation and inclusion in the process and implementation is required.

To sum up, indeed, potential and possibilities, values and enriched cultural heritage of the people of Asia were recognized and highlighted in the both books. Excellent academic background can add values so that the vision can be set to lead the future world. It was really a unique experience for the team to be a part of the contributory and promising session.

Book Launch: Asia 2038 transformation 2050