The International Conference on Applied Research in Education (ICARE) 2025, held in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, from January 9 to 10, 2025, brought together educators, researchers, and policymakers to explore innovative solutions in education, science, and technology. Among the participants were officials from the Philippine Normal University (PNU), namely Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Marilyn U. Balagtas, ASEAN Teacher Education Network (AsTEN) Executive Director Prof. John Carlo M. Ramos, and Linkages and International Office Director Prof. Bryan C. Dayuta.

The ICARE 2025 conference addressed critical areas, including teacher education, the arts and sciences, ocean and earth sciences, and innovations in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Natural Language Processing (NLP). Another key focus was the promotion of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). By facilitating cross-sector partnerships and discussions, ICARE 2025 contributed to advancing the region’s sustainable development and economic growth.

The conference provided a platform for participants to present their research, receive feedback from an international panel, and have their papers reviewed for publication in globally recognized proceedings. It also aimed to establish partnerships between the educational, scientific, and business sectors, promote vocational training, and integrate AI and NLP into education systems.

A highlight of PNU’s participation in the international conference was Prof. Ramos’s presentation during the Teacher Education parallel session. His paper, which examined the behavior of pre-service teachers when using ChatGPT, highlighted the moral issues and conflicts that arose from their interactions with the AI tool. In addition to presenting his research, Prof. Ramos also chaired a parallel session under the same subtheme, introducing presenters and moderating the open forum. Meanwhile, Dr. Balagtas and Prof. Dayuta played pivotal roles in representing PNU, further strengthening the university’s presence in the international academic community.

The ICARE 2025 conference provided an invaluable platform for PNU to strengthen its ties with regional and international educational institutions. It also offered significant opportunities for networking and collaboration, reinforcing the university’s role in shaping the future of education in the ASEAN+5 region.