As part of the Philippine Normal University’s (PNU) commitment to amplify academic collaboration and promote its advocacies, university officials embarked on international trips to two neighboring ASEAN countries.

PNU President Dr. Bert J. Tuga reinforced the university’s commitment to international collaboration and educational innovation during the International Symposium on Educational Development held in Brunei from June 9 to 10, 2026.

During the symposium’s opening, Dr. Tuga signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the University Strategic Alliance for Educational Research Collaboration, establishing a partnership among Universiti Brunei Darussalam (Brunei), The Education University of Hong Kong (HKSAR, China), Philippine Normal University (Philippines), the National University of Laos (Laos), and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam). The agreement aims to strengthen regional collaboration in educational research and promote knowledge exchange among participating institutions.

Co-hosted by the Education University of Hong Kong (EduHK) and Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), the symposium carried the theme “Transforming Education for a New Era: Innovation, Inclusion, and Sustainability across the Maritime Silk Road.” The event brought together higher education leaders, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to discuss emerging trends and collaborative approaches to educational transformation, with an emphasis on innovation, inclusion, sustainability, artificial intelligence, and educational leadership.

Dr. Tuga also served as a panelist in the session “Educational Leadership for a Challenging Future,” where he joined experts from the Ministry of Education of Brunei Darussalam, Monash University, and EduHK in discussing the evolving role of educational leadership in addressing contemporary and future challenges.

PNU’s participation in the international symposium reflects the university’s continuing efforts to expand strategic partnerships, advance research collaboration, and contribute to shaping transformative and future-ready teacher education within the region.

Meanwhile, Dr. Rowena Raton-Hibanada, Director of GCC-Philippines, and Prof. Carl O. Dellomos, Deputy Director of GCC-Philippines, flew to Bangkok, Thailand, for the GCC Directors’ Meeting 2026 held from June 9 to 11, 2026.

The annual gathering, organized by the Asia-Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding (APCEIU) in cooperation with the GCC-SEAMEO Regional Centre for Sufficiency Economy Philosophy for Sustainability (SEPS) as host, convened directors and representatives of Global Citizenship Education Cooperation Centres (GCCs) across the Asia-Pacific region to strengthen partnerships, exchange innovative practices, and collectively shape the future directions of Global Citizenship Education (GCED).

The participation of Dr. Hibanada and Prof. Dellomos reaffirmed the Philippines’ steadfast commitment to promoting transformative education anchored in peace, sustainability, human rights, intercultural understanding, and global solidarity.

Throughout the three-day meeting, GCC representatives presented their respective programs and initiatives, highlighting promising practices and lessons learned in implementing GCED at local, national, and regional levels. During the Philippine presentation, GCC-Philippines showcased its expanding portfolio of initiatives that advance GCED through research, advocacy, capacity-building, youth engagement, and community partnerships.