Cebu Normal University (CNU), represented by Dr. Rufina Rosaroso — Vice President for Academic Affairs and Internationalization — and Dr. Genara B. Pacaña — Director of the Center for Internationalization, ODL, and CELL, joined the 36th AUAP Annual Conference in Siam University, Bangkok, Thailand, last 17-18 November 2023.

The primary purpose of the Association of Universities of Asia and the Pacific (AUAP) is to be the main platform for interaction and collaboration among members and the voice of universities and colleges in Asia and the Pacific. The AUAP promotes a culture of quality and innovation in higher education, research and services to the community, and to protect and strengthen the cultural variety and values of Asia and the Pacific in order to foster greater communication and collaboration for the advancement of socioeconomic growth and world peace.

AUAP organizes regular conferences and workshops for higher education leaders and institutions, and this year the annual conference held the theme, “Utilizing Institutional Assets to Enhance Global Outreach,” and focused on unique university programs or projects that exemplify how universities address the emerging needs of the various publics they serve.

The opening ceremony was led with the welcome remarks by Prof. Dr. Annop Swarup, Secretary General of the AUAP, Dr. Pornchai Mongkhonvanit, President of the Siam University, as well as Dr. Md. Sabur Khan, the President of the AUAP. This was followed by a series of sessions by an incredible lineup of keynote speakers. Each of these sessions delved into unique subject matters, which includes on entrepreneurship, digitization, 21st century mindset, SDGs and sustainable society, community outreach, self-exploration, distance education, as well as internationalization. The conference also featured paper presentations on health care, nutrition, environment, and software solutions.

This was a unique platform for interaction and collaboration between members which is in line with CNU’s commitment as a member institution of the AUAP.