PIO Academic Conference 2025

PIO Academic Conference 2025

On 11 July 2025, the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) Malaysia organised the PIO Academic Conference 2025 at the International Youth Centre. The conference brought together scholars, researchers, and community leaders to explore contemporary issues affecting Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), with a focus on migration, identity, economic participation, and future development.

The conference was led by GOPIO Malaysia Vice President, Sashidharan Santhesegaran, and attracted around 100 participants, including academics, students, and civil society representatives.

Advancing Research on the Global PIO Community

The conference was organised under the theme “Discourses on PIO Identity, Development and Future Challenges.” The programme featured a series of thematic sessions that addressed key dimensions of diaspora studies:

• Session A: Preserving PIO Heritage and Identity in an Uncertain World
• Session B: Malaysia–India Relations: Government and People-to-People Engagement
• Session C: Expanding the PIO Footprint in Global Business
• Session D: Open Forum – The Next 15 Years: Challenges Facing Malaysian PIOs

The event was graced by Ankan Banerjee, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of External Affairs of India, who attended as the Chief Guest. The conference was organised in collaboration with the High Commission of India in Malaysia, with support from Cyberjaya University.

Importance of Academic Dialogue

Academic platforms such as the PIO Academic Conference play an important role in encouraging evidence-based discussions on diaspora communities, their historical journeys, and their evolving roles in global society.

The conference provided an opportunity for researchers to present findings, exchange perspectives, and explore interdisciplinary approaches to PIO studies, a growing field that examines the social, cultural, economic, and political experiences of Indian-origin communities worldwide.

More than 30 PIO researchers and academics contributed to discussions and presentations, helping to identify new research directions and collaborative opportunities within diaspora scholarship.

Impact and Future Initiatives

The conference strengthened scholarly engagement within the PIO research community, while also encouraging collaboration between academic institutions, researchers, and community organisations.

As a follow-up initiative, GOPIO Malaysia plans to organise future editions of the conference and proceed with the publication of the third volume of The Journal of PIO Studies, which will compile research papers and insights presented during the event.

The PIO Academic Conference 2025 provided an important platform for academic collaboration, knowledge dissemination, and dialogue on the future of PIO communities, reinforcing the role of research and scholarship in shaping informed discussions about diaspora identity and development.