- March 31, 2025
Mapúa MCL Highlights Global Education Initiatives at APAIE 2025 in Delhi
By: Pearl Stephanie D. Ulep
Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna (Mapúa MCL) proudly participated in the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) 2025 Conference and Exhibition, representing the Philippines on the global stage. Held in Delhi, India, from March 24 to 28, 2025, the event provided an opportunity for the institution to showcase its dedication to international collaboration and innovative education.
With representatives from the Office of External Relations and Global Linkages (OERGL) and the Office for Strategic Partnerships and Global Engagement (OSPGE), Mapúa MCL showcased its efforts in fostering a culture of global citizenship among students and faculty. Through meaningful discussions and knowledge-sharing, the institution reinforced its dedication to shaping globally competent learners and strengthening partnerships that drive educational innovation.
In “Reinforcing Team Teaching through Global Signature Courses,” Prof. James Ronald O. Mesina, Assistant Vice President for External Relations and Global Linkages, and Ms. Pearl Stephanie Ulep, Director for Strategic Partnerships and Global Engagement, shared how Mapúa MCL is breaking educational boundaries with Global Signature Courses (GSCs). These courses, offered in Business and Health Sciences through the Cintana Education, bring together multi-instructor, cross-border learning experiences. By integrating diverse global perspectives, GSCs provide students with an immersive, interdisciplinary education that goes beyond textbooks and classrooms. The presentation posed a thought-provoking question: “What if learning had no borders?” and explored how institutions can make education truly collaborative and globally relevant.
Meanwhile, in “Integrating the Sustainable Development Goals and Student Mobility,” Prof. Mesina and Ms. Ivana Ruth C. Vidal, Program Assistant for Strategic Partnerships and Global Engagement, tackled the growing significance of purpose-driven education. Their discussion focused on the shifting trends in student mobility within the Asia-Pacific region, highlighting the role of service-learning in shaping responsible global citizens. They emphasized how even small initiatives can contribute to large-scale sustainable solutions, inspiring students to embrace a “think global, act local” mindset. By participating in international learning experiences, students develop the skills and perspectives necessary to become proactive global citizens, capable of addressing pressing global challenges with innovative and sustainable solutions.
Shaping the Future of Higher Education and Global Citizenship
These presentations underscored Mapúa MCL’s commitment to integrating the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its academic programs. By embedding sustainability principles in student mobility programs and Global Signature Courses, the institution is shaping a new generation of learners who are not only academically proficient but also socially conscious and globally engaged. Encouraging critical thinking, cultural competence, and a sense of shared responsibility, Mapúa MCL prepares students to navigate and contribute meaningfully to an interconnected world.
Looking ahead, Mapúa MCL aims to strengthen collaborations with ASEAN institutions, expand service-learning opportunities, and encourage students to take part in initiatives that create meaningful impact. With education as a powerful tool for change, the institution envisions a future where learning is a shared, borderless experience that unites communities across the globe and cultivates global citizens who champion inclusivity, sustainability, and cooperation.
Through its active participation in APAIE 2025, Mapúa MCL reaffirms its role as a leader in international education—committed to academic excellence, sustainability, global engagement, and the development of responsible global citizens.
For more information about collaborative partnerships and global engagement, interested parties may contact the Office for External Relations and Global Linkages through email: [email protected].
