UMAP Philippines Charts Course for Inclusive Internationalization at 2025 Annual Conference

Quezon City, Philippines – The University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific (UMAP) Philippines held its annual conference, “Strategizing Direction towards Inclusive PHEIs Internationalization: The UMAP Way,” at the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Auditorium. The event convened educators and administrators nationwide to discuss and strategize on enhancing the internationalization of Philippine Higher Education Institutions (PHEIs).

The conference featured a program aimed at providing insights into UMAP’s history, regional approaches to internationalization, and the challenges faced by PHEIs in achieving global recognition.

Opening remarks were delivered by Dr. Laurene Chua-Garcia, outgoing President of UMAP-Phils.

Plenary sessions included presentations by Dr. Heracleo D. Lagrada on UMAP’s history, Dr. Christine N. Ferrer on regional internationalization strategies, and Dr. Laurene Chua-Garcia on the challenges and support needed for PHEIs.
The event also addressed organizational matters, including membership updates and election guidelines. The General Assembly included the President’s Report by Dr. Chua-Garcia and the Treasurer’s Report by Dr. Maribeth Buenviaje. A significant part of the assembly was dedicated to the presentation of nominees and the election of the new UMAP-Phils. Board, set to take office in July 2025.

New UMAP-Philippines Leadership Announced

Following the election, the newly elected UMAP-Phils. officers and board members were announced:

President: Dr. Jeremy Godofredo Morales (St. Paul University Philippines)

Executive vice president: Dr. Mildred M. Crisostomo (Don Honorio Ventura State University)

Vice president NCR: Sherlo Reyes (De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde)

Vice president Luzon: Dr. Mee Jay A. Domingo (Mariano Marcos State University)

Vice president Visayas: Ms. Edel Carmela S. Subong-Csoka (West Visayas State University)

Vice president Mindanao: Dr. Vivian Cabalbal Peligro (Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology)

Secretary: Dr. Stephenie Ong Busbus (Saint Louis University Baguio)

Treasurer: Sr. Maruja PadreJuan (Adamson University)

Auditor: Atty. Eric G. Claudio, Ph.D. (Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology)

Business manager: Dr. Sergel Ilagan Dacut (Lyceum of the Philippines University-Batangas)

Communications and public relations: Dr. Engelbert Pasag (Panpacific University)

Board members/Directors:

- Dr. Rob Hayden (Asian Institute for Maritime Studies)

- Dr. Mario Rojas Obra (Western Mindanao State University – Zamboanga City)

- Ms. Gillian Marie G. Porras (Ateneo de Davao University)

- Mr. Mer Jun Q. Cañas, (Davao del Norte State College)

The conference concluded with closing remarks delivered by Atty. Lily Freida M. Milla, CESO III, Director IV of the International Affairs Service at CHED, followed by announcements and an evaluation. A meeting of the outgoing and incoming UMAP Board Members followed.

The UMAP Philippines Annual Conference 2025 provided a platform for PHEIs to collaborate and strategize on achieving inclusive internationalization, reinforcing UMAP’s commitment to fostering academic exchange and cooperation within the Asia-Pacific region.