At our recent Executive Forum event in the Philippines, we were lucky to welcome a panel discussion with prominent thought leaders in the field of higher education.
The session, “Shaping the Future of Higher Education in the Philippines: AI Readiness and Micro-Credentials,” was led by Dr. Cristi Ford, Chief Learning Officer at D2L, who was joined by Mr. Benhur Ong, Chancellor of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, Professor Anna Cherylle Ramos, board member representative of eLearning Forum Asia and Ms. Joyce Anne C. Samaniego, Executive Director of the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Inc. (PACU).
During the panel discussion the speakers addressed integrating AI into education, the importance of micro-credentialing and looked to the future of higher education through these lenses. The panelist also highlighted that AI adoption can’t wait, as this technology will only improve and become more integral to education and economic competitiveness.
Integrating AI Into Education
The session opened with the panelists delving into the transformative potential of AI in Philippine higher education. Regional best practices from eLearning Forum Asia were shared by Professor Ramos, who also emphasized AI readiness across infrastructure, faculty literacy and policy frameworks. National AI strategies from Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines were discussed for showcasing coordinated approaches to integrating AI into education.
Ms. Samaniego also went into details on the AI initiatives PACU is using to support its 190 member institutions, including webinars, a manual of acceptable use in AI, and its partnerships with the Information Technology Association of the Philippines to align curricula with industry needs. The democratization of AI technologies through consortium models was also addressed. For example, national associations like PACU can support smaller institutions by creating consortium-based partnerships that provide affordable access to AI technologies and resources that individual schools couldn’t afford alone.
The panelists spoke about data integrity and how institutions implementing AI and learning analytics must establish compliant data governance models early. Institutions must also balance AI innovation with rigorous quality assurance backed by real data and learning analytics to build credibility and trust with students, employers and accrediting bodies.
The CHED Framework and Micro-Credentials
The CHED framework on micro-credentials was discussed, including its emphasis on flexible, stackable pathways and industry alignment. The new CHED Memorandum Order on micro-credentials provides clear guidelines for institutions to offer certified programs, including partnerships between HEIs and non-HEI providers, creating new opportunities for lifelong learning markets.
It was noted that some institutions are opening micro-credential offices, including Our Lady of Fatima University, Panpacific University, and Mapúa. The panelists highlighted some regional best practices that offer proven implementation models for micro-credentialing. Singapore’s Skills Future framework demonstrates how embedding quality assurance into AI platforms from the design phase enables personalized learning while maintaining educational standards. Singapore’s Temasek Polytechnic shows the potential for mapping lifelong learning and fostering institutional collaboration where institutions pool resources and expertise while maintaining their individual creativity and agility.
The panelists also covered how micro-credentials open new lifelong learning markets. Since micro-credentials aren’t just for current students, they can create opportunities to serve professionals and lifelong learners, potentially bringing alumni back to institutions while generating new revenue streams.
AI and the Future of Higher Education
The discussion between our panelists broached the topic of how the future of education will introduce precision education, which leverages AI and learning analytics to personalize instruction and address learning gaps. Data governance was also underscored to be essential for compliance with privacy laws and effective analytics use. When it comes to preparing teachers to be future-ready, AI competency training was identified as being foundational.
The upcoming Second Congressional Commission on Education report will outline a National Education and Workforce Development Plan, which will prioritize sectors like advanced manufacturing, healthcare, AI, hospitality and tourism. The speakers called for a shared platform where different innovations could come together, helping institutions make the most of their expertise. Their vision is to build an education system by 2030 that’s powered by AI, driven by precision, and focused on equity.
As the session ended, the speakers reminded the audience of the rapidly evolving educational landscape pushing the need to stay competitive and relevant through embracing AI, strengthening micro-credentialing and fostering collaboration. While countries with fragmented institutional innovations limit overall impact, those with organized, coordinated national AI strategies see the most significant educational transformation. 920
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