By Sharah V. Alingalan BA-ELS 4, Centralian Link intern
Prof. Lesley Joy Dignadice of LILAC represents Central Philippine University at the ASEAN Exhibition & Forum 2025 in Malaysia, showcasing CPU’s commitment to global academic collaboration.
Prof. Lesley Joy Dignadice, Acting Director of the Local and International Linkages and Affiliations Center (LILAC) at Central Philippine University (CPU), participated as one of the exhibitors in the ASEAN Exhibition & Forum 2025 (AEF2025) in Malaysia. The prestigious event, held from February 23 to 25, 2025, at the Grand Lagoon Ballroom, Sunway Resort Hotel, Petaling Jaya, was part of Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship initiatives.
Organized by Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) in collaboration with the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE), AEF2025 served as a premier platform to showcase ASEAN universities’ excellence, promote regional academic collaboration, and enhance student mobility across member states. The event featured over 90 exhibitors from higher education institutions across ASEAN nations, including the Philippines.
Prof. Dignadice’s participation underscores CPU’s commitment to fostering international partnerships and strengthening its global academic presence. Through her involvement, CPU continues to align itself with international educational standards and regional collaborations that benefit both faculty and students.
A key highlight of the forum was the launch of the ASEAN Global Exchange for Mobility & Scholarship (GEMS) platform, designed to facilitate academic exchanges and scholarship opportunities across the region. Discussions also focused on sustainable higher education, innovation in learning, and enhancing student mobility programs within ASEAN.
Following the main event, on February 26, 2025, Prof. Dignadice and her delegation visited Sunway University for a benchmarking session. The visit included a campus tour and discussions on potential collaborative initiatives between CPU and Sunway University. This engagement led to the establishment of a new partnership, reflecting CPU’s dedication to enhancing its educational offerings through international cooperation. Prof. Dignadice emphasized the importance of such engagements, stating, “This is one way to foster linkages and build new partners for international collaboration programs at CPU.”
Her attendance at AEF2025 highlights the importance of Filipino representation in international educational forums and reaffirms CPU’s dedication to advancing global academic networks. As ASEAN continues to drive forward its higher education agenda, participation in events like AEF2025 ensures that institutions like CPU remain at the forefront of regional and global educational developments.