Cebu City, Philippines — Marinduque State University (MarSU) strengthened its commitment to global academic engagement and internationalization through its participation in the Higher Education Partnerships Conference (HEPCON) 2026, organized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) through its International Affairs Service (IAS) on October 1–2, 2026, at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Cebu City.

Anchored on the theme, “Empowering ASEAN Education: Advancing Collaboration in AI, Transformation, and Robotics,” HEPCON 2026 brought together more than 300 participants from the Philippines and 14 countries across ASEAN, the Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America. The conference provided a strategic platform for higher education institutions to explore international cooperation in research, innovation, faculty and student mobility, and emerging technologies.

For MarSU, participation in the conference went beyond networking and knowledge exchange, opening meaningful opportunities to expand its international linkages and strengthen its presence in the global higher education community. Through its engagement with international academic institutions, MarSU forged partnerships with Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Hasanuddin University (UNHAS), Indonesia, marking another significant milestone in the University’s continuing internationalization journey.

These partnerships are expected to provide avenues for academic collaboration, joint research initiatives, faculty and student mobility, knowledge exchange, and other mutually beneficial programs. By connecting with established international institutions, MarSU seeks to broaden opportunities for its academic community, enhance research productivity, promote cross-cultural learning, and develop collaborative initiatives responsive to local and global development priorities.

The University’s participation and partnership-building efforts are aligned with its Empower2ACHIEVE Agenda, which advances MarSU’s commitment to institutional excellence, innovation, and transformative opportunities for its academic community. Through strategic international collaborations, the University seeks to translate its development priorities into meaningful programs that strengthen academic quality, expand research capabilities, empower faculty and students, and enhance its global competitiveness. These partnerships also reinforce MarSU’s vision of ensuring that internationalization generates tangible benefits for the University and the communities it serves.

The conference further emphasized the importance of moving beyond formal agreements toward partnerships that generate measurable outcomes. In her keynote message, CHED Chairperson Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis underscored that meaningful international collaboration must translate into concrete opportunities for students, researchers, institutions, industries, and communities. She highlighted the value of complementarity among institutions, where shared expertise, knowledge, and resources create greater collective impact.

HEPCON 2026 featured international keynote presentations, expert-led panel discussions, collaborative workshops, and exhibitions highlighting innovative solutions and emerging technologies. These activities reinforced the role of higher education institutions as drivers of research, technological advancement, and sustainable development while strengthening the Philippines’ engagement with regional and global academic partners.

For MarSU, the outcomes of HEPCON 2026 affirm the University’s continuing efforts to build a globally connected institution while remaining grounded in its mandate to serve the people of Marinduque. The partnerships established with Universiti Putra Malaysia and Hasanuddin University represent opportunities to translate international engagement into collaborative programs, shared expertise, and transformative learning and research experiences. These initiatives further advance the Empower2ACHIEVE Agenda by connecting institutional priorities with global opportunities for growth and development.

MarSU expresses its sincere appreciation to the Commission on Higher Education–International Affairs Service (CHED IAS) for organizing HEPCON 2026 and providing higher education institutions with valuable opportunities to establish meaningful international connections and pursue collaborative initiatives. The University likewise acknowledges the continuing support and leadership of University President Prof. Dr. Diosdado P. Zulueta, whose commitment to internationalization and the Empower2ACHIEVE Agenda empowers MarSU to pursue strategic global partnerships, expand institutional opportunities, and strengthen its contribution to international higher education.

Through this sustained leadership and institutional commitment, MarSU continues to transform international partnerships into pathways for academic excellence, innovation, and inclusive development, advancing the Empower2ACHIEVE Agenda while carrying the University’s aspirations from the heart of Marinduque to the world.

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