Vice President for Academics Dr. Marilyn U. Balagtas and Global Citizenship Education (GCED) Cooperation Centre–Philippines Director Dr. Rowena R. Hibanada participated in the Singapore Immersion and Learning Journey. The program, part of the NextGen Leaders Fellowship for Sustainability and Innovation, culminated in the NextGen Leaders Global Dialogue 2026 held on July 17, 2026, at the Singapore Sustainability Academy.

Bringing together educators, academic leaders, policymakers, and sustainability advocates from around the world, the dialogue explored the theme “Shaping the Future of Schools: Leadership, Innovation, and Sustainability.” The event featured keynote presentations, panel discussions, and collaborative sessions focused on future-ready education, sustainability leadership, innovation, and global partnerships.

Representing PNU, Dr. Marilyn U. Balagtas served as a speaker, sharing the University’s commitment to preparing pre-service and in-service teachers as future-ready educators and education leaders. She highlighted PNU’s role as the National Center for Teacher Education and emphasized the importance of equipping teachers with competencies in leadership, innovation, digital literacy, critical thinking, and lifelong learning while integrating Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and Global Citizenship Education (GCED) into teacher education programs.

Meanwhile, Dr. Rowena R. Hibanada actively participated in dialogue sessions, workshops, and networking engagements that promoted international collaboration in advancing sustainability and Global Citizenship Education. Her participation reinforced the commitment of the GCED Cooperation Centre–Philippines to fostering partnerships and sharing best practices in transformative education.

Joining them was Dr. Janet Alesna Mananay of the GCED Regional Hub at Cebu Normal University.

The immersion also included visits to educational institutions and sustainability learning sites, providing valuable insights into Singapore’s integrated approach to education, innovation, and environmental stewardship. The experience strengthened international partnerships and provided practical ideas that can support the continued advancement of teacher education, sustainability, and global citizenship initiatives at Philippine Normal University and the GCED Cooperation Centre–Philippines.