The Philippine Normal University took part in the 19th Meeting of Presidents of the Association of Southeast Asian Teacher Education Network (AsTEN), which was held on June 16, 2025, in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam.
The annual gathering of leaders and representatives from AsTEN member institutions throughout Southeast Asia to discuss matters related to the ongoing advancement of teacher education in the region. The meeting acted as a platform for enhancing regional collaboration, aligning quality standards, and promoting academic partnerships among teacher education institutions.
Representing the PNU President, Dr. Bert J. Tuga, was Dr. Denmark L. Yonson, Vice President for Student Success and Stakeholders Services.
In support of PNU’s commitment to international collaboration, Dr. Yonson also met with representatives of the AsTEN Teacher Education Quality Assurance Agency (ATQA), particularly Prof. Fuad Abdul Hameid of Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia. The meeting focused on preparations for the proposed harmonization workshop spearheaded by the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines, Inc. (AACCUP), aimed at aligning accreditation standards and instruments between ATQA and AACCUP.
Further strengthening international academic ties, Dr. Yonson paid a courtesy visit to Her Excellency Marian Jocelyn R. Tirol-Igancio, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Philippines to Brunei Darussalam. Discussions during the meeting explored possible collaborations between the Philippine Embassy and PNU, particularly in academic cooperation and community engagement initiatives.
PNU’s participation in the AsTEN meeting underscores its strong commitment to regional cooperation and its active role as one of the founders of AsTEN and the Network’s Permanent Secretariat. AsTEN is composed of the following member institutions, namely:
• Kolej Universiti Perguruan Ugama Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam
• National Institute of Education, Cambodia
• Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia
• National University of Laos
• Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Malaysia
• Yangon University of Education, Myanmar
• Philippine Normal University
• National Institute of Education, Singapore
• Kasetsart University, Thailand
• University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam
