Collaborating for sustainable partnerships across the Asia-Pacific: UP President shares global vision in APAIE Perth Conference

Published

By: Guillian M. Mecate

UP President Angelo A. Jimenez successfully led the UP delegation in the recently concluded Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) Conference in Perth, Australia from March 5 to 7, 2024.

UP President Angelo A. Jimenez and Vice President for Academic Affairs Leo DP Cubillan pose at the UP Booth at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre with Senior University Representatives from the National University of Singapore

The APAIE Conference brought together international education policymakers, practitioners, and experts from across the globe to network, improve professional skills, and learn about new developments and trends in international education. This year’s conference attracted over 2000 delegates from more than 55 countries which is composed of a diverse group of professionals joining in as participants and exhibitors.

Proudly sponsoring the Global Dialogue which took place at the Riverside Theatre of the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre (PCEC) last March 7, 2024, UP President Jimenez participated in a panel discussion with senior representatives from international higher education institutions and academic networks to share views on the pressing issues and challenges faced by international education institutions in the region. President Jimenez, in his call for climate justice particularly for smaller nations that feel the brunt of natural disasters, stressed the significant role of higher education institutions in knowledge co-creation and the need for greater collaboration for climate change resilience.

UP President Jimenez at the APAIE Global Dialogue Session with fellow Panel Members, APAIE President Venky Shankararaman; StudyPerth CEO Derryn Belford; NAFSA President La Nitra Berger; and ICEF GmbH CEO Markus Badde 

The UP Booth in the APAIE Conference this year featured the nine constituent universities and the various SDG-related initiatives of the academic units on Health and Well-being; Quality Education; Gender Equality; Sustainable Cities and Communities; Climate Action; and Partnership for the Goals, showcasing UP’s commitment, as part of its mandate as the national university of the country, towards the fulfillment of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The members of the UP Delegation also attended bilateral meetings with other university delegates and exhibitors at the Exhibition Hall. Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Leo DP. Cubillan, AVPAA and OIL Director, Dr. Imee Su Martinez, OIL Deputy Director Noel Christian A. Moratilla, and OIL Head of Program Development and Strategy, Mr. Guillian M. Mecate attended a total of 144 partner meetings to discuss potential bilateral partnership agreements and scholarship opportunities with other leading universities in the Asia-Pacific Region.

Candid Photos at the UP Booth with AVPAA and OIL Director Imee Su Martinez and Prof. Ir. Dr. Hilmi Mukhtar of Universiti Teknologi Petronas (Upper Photo) and UP OIL Team, AVPAA and OIL Director Martinez, Mr. Guillian M. Mecate and Deputy Director Noel Christian A. Moratilla (Lower Photo)