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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Philippines leads adoption of 3 ASEAN higher education initiatives

Philippines leads adoption of 3 ASEAN higher education initiatives

Published Jun 28, 2026 09:58 am  |  Updated Jun 28, 2026 01:28 pm

At A Glance

  • According to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the three outcome documents will guide education cooperation under the ASEAN Work Plan on Education 2026–2030 by promoting greater access to higher education, expanding academic mobility, and strengthening collaboration among higher education institutions in the region.
Higher education ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) adopted three regional initiatives aimed at strengthening digital transformation, teacher development, and research collaboration across Southeast Asia through 2030.
The measures were approved during the Ministers' Roundtable on Access and Sustainable Development in Higher Education, hosted by the Philippines through the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) as part of its ASEAN chairmanship, on June 26.
According to CHED, the three outcome documents will guide education cooperation under the ASEAN Work Plan on Education 2026–2030 by promoting greater access to higher education, expanding academic mobility, and strengthening collaboration among higher education institutions in the region.
One of the adopted documents, the ASEAN Ministerial Statement on Access to Quality Higher Education through Digital Transformation and Sustainability, sets out a regional framework to improve access to higher education through digital technologies, including the responsible use of artificial intelligence, lifelong learning, faculty development, and institutional partnerships.
CHED said the ministerial statement will be elevated for notation during the 49th ASEAN Leaders' Summit in November.
The ministers also adopted the Terms of Reference for the ASEAN Centre of Excellence for Teacher Education and Development (ACTED), which will serve as a regional platform for teacher professional development, policy research, quality assurance, educator mobility, innovation in pedagogy, and institutional capacity-building.
Another initiative, ASEAN GEMS Plus, expands the existing ASEAN Global Exchange for Mobility and Scholarship (ASEAN GEMS) more than scholarships and student exchanges to include regional research grants, researcher mobility, innovation partnerships, and collaborative projects aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.
CHED said the three initiatives were developed through months of consultations and consensus-building among ASEAN member states under the Senior Officials Meeting on Education.
During the ministerial roundtable, education ministers also shared national experiences and reforms on expanding access to higher education, promoting sustainability, and preparing institutions for rapid technological change.
In the Philippines' country statement, CHED Chairperson Shirley C. Agrupis cited the commission's ACHIEVE Agenda as the country's roadmap for expanding access to higher education through lifelong learning, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, research, and sustainability.
“While we have made significant progress, the challenges of equitable access, digital transformation, research, and preparing learners for the future are challenges that no country can address alone. That is why stronger ASEAN cooperation is essential—to deepen collaboration in mobility, innovation, teacher development, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence as we build a more connected and future-ready higher education community,” Agrupis said.
The Philippines is serving as ASEAN chair in 2026 and has been hosting a series of ministerial meetings and related events ahead of the ASEAN summits later this year.

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CHED ASEAN HIGHER EDUCATION PHILIPPINES
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