ASEAN–EU showcase in Manila highlights 21 education and research partnerships

What can universities do together to address challenges that cross borders? At the fourth ASEAN–EU Policy Dialogue on Higher Education in Manila on 27–28 October 2026, participants explored that question through the lens of the blue economy. Alongside the policy discussions, the Sustainable Futures Showcase gave institutions a chance to share how they collaborate on research, create learning opportunities and develop skills.

Introducing Dr Shirley C. Agrupis, Chairperson of the Philippine Commission on Higher Education (CHED), ahead of her keynote, Nuffic Director General Marco Schouten set out the connection between international cooperation and the work institutions do every day.

What cooperation looks like in practice

Through a poster exhibition and five-minute pitches, the Showcase brought together examples of applied research, student mobility and institutional cooperation. IPB University presented STABLE, a research partnership focused on the sustainable blue economy. Yoon Nandar Khaing offered a student perspective, sharing her experience of studying law at Universitas Airlangga in Indonesia through the EU Mobility Programme for Myanmar. Other presentations explored joint curriculum development, links between education and employment, and ways to build research networks that can support longer-term cooperation.

From Manila to Singapore

The Road to Singapore session looked ahead to the next Policy Dialogue in 2027 and considered how recommendations from earlier dialogues could be put into practice. The partnerships presented in Manila gave participants concrete examples to draw on, from organising joint research to creating study opportunities across borders.