Higher education is undergoing significant shifts, changing how knowledge is shared and learning is experienced. In a dynamic panel discussion, educational leaders from across Southeast Asia came together to share strategies to meet the needs of modern learners and prepare graduates to be workforce ready.
Moderated by Dr. Cristi Ford, the conversation featured insights from:
Together, they painted a compelling picture of how institutions are evolving to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world.
Across all panellists, several consistent themes emerged:
Looking ahead, the panellists agreed on the need for collaborative, adaptive approaches that balance technological advancements with inclusive, human-centred learning ecosystems.
Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) teamed up with D2L to make high-value education available to busy technology IT professionals and help businesses upskill their workforce with consideration of employee workloads through flexible, self-paced competency-based courses.
Mr. Wong highlighted Nanyang Polytechnic’s (NPY) Professional Competency Model, which blends technical and soft skills with industry knowledge to prepare graduates to excel in the workplace. Curricula are developed in collaboration with leading companies, and courses are co-taught by industry experts.
Dr. Dewi introduced Wawasan Open University’s Centre for ODL Experiences, a hub of innovation in open and distance learning. The university is leveraging a variety of approaches to make learning more engaging for younger generations, including micro-credentials for flexible, stackable learning and gamification to boost motivation and retention.
A standout initiative is its Accreditation of Prior Learning (APEL) program, which recognizes real-world work experience and knowledge as a pathway to higher education—broadening access and equity.
Mr. Ong shared De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde’s work in inclusive education, particularly its support for the deaf community. The institution played a key role in the passage of the Filipino Sign Language (FSL) law and continues to lead through a dedicated Centre for Inclusive Education and phenomenological research to understand diverse learner experiences.
The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde launched BigSky Benilde, powered by D2L Brightspace, to enable data-driven education and support learners with diverse learning styles and abilities through intuitive accessibility tooling.
As the session concluded, the panellists agreed on the need for approaches to education in Southeast Asia that
Ultimately, the future of learning is one where technology and humanity coexist—creating inclusive, agile and forward-thinking educational ecosystems.
Discover how Temasek Polytechnic leverages learning analytics through the ALERT framework to enhance student success. Learn about implementation strategies, outcomes, and expert recommendations for data-driven education.
