Mariano Marcos
State University

MMSU ILP officials join SEAMEO, CHED-led higher education week

By Ian Paul Villanueva

To advance cross-border collaboration and strategic networks, the heads of the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) Internationalization, Linkages and Partnerships (ILP) directorate joined the Higher Education Week 2026, which officially opened on October 13 at the SotoGrande Hotel in Iloilo City.

Prof. Jeanette Dials, ILP director, and Prof. Krismary Sharmaine Agbigay, chief for International Mobility, joined higher education officials, policymakers, and international partners from across Southeast and East Asia. They presented the university’s best practices in internationalization.

Organized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Centre for Higher Education and Development (SEAMEO RIHED), the four-day event aims to chart a transformative educational roadmap for the region.

CHED Chairperson Shirley C. Agrupis emphasized at the event that higher education institutions must evolve to help shape the future of their communities and economies, urging them to rethink how they teach and conduct research.

The first half of the week focused on governance and emerging global trends in instruction, with the 34th SEAMEO RIHED Governing Board Meeting conducted on October 13 and the Regional Policy Conference on Future-Ready Higher Education on the 14th. The former laid the groundwork for regional policy, while the latter featured discussions that explored digital transformation, artificial intelligence, future skills, quality assurance, internationalization and student mobility.

Meanwhile, the second half of the program tackled international student exchange frameworks and localized community engagement. Notably, the 20th Annual Review Meeting of the Asian International Mobility for Students (AIMS) Programme convened participating ministries and Philippine higher education institutions to address common challenges and strengthen regional exchange networks.

The week will culminate on October 16 with the AIMS University Social Responsibility (USR) Immersion in nearby Miag-ao, Iloilo. Co-led by the University of the Philippines Visayas, the immersion will give international delegates firsthand experience with local Philippine culture and community life while reaffirming CHED's commitment to inclusive regional cooperation.

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