5th AUN-TEPL Symposium (Hybrid)
2nd Oct 2025
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (GMT+8)
University of the Philippines Bonifacio Global City,
​Bonifacio Global City, Metro Manila, NCR, Philippines
ASEAN’s First Online Course Exchange Initiative Debuts at 5th AUN-TEPL Symposium, Showcasing Student Innovation and the Future of Learning​
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More than 100 educators and university representatives attended the symposium in person in Manila, Philippines, while about 300 participants tuned in virtually to the symposium’s sessions.
As generative AI and emerging technologies transform how students learn, universities are leveraging these innovations to deepen student engagement and personalise learning, as well as exploring the responsible use of such tools to enhance educational outcomes. These were amongst the topics examined at the 5th AUN Thematic Network on Technology-enhanced Personalised Learning (AUN-TEPL) Symposium held on 2 October 2025. Themed “Student Engagement and Technology-Enhanced Personalised Learning”, the event was hosted by the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) in Manila.
Hosted by the University of the Philippines Diliman, the symposium brought together about 400 leaders, educators and researchers from ASEAN to reimagine the future of learning through technology and collaboration. Jointly organised by Singapore Management University (SMU), Mahidol University (MU), Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) and Universiti Malaya (UM), the event underscored the region’s collective commitment towards advancing TEPL across ASEAN.
In his welcome address, Atty. Angelo A. Jimenez, President of the University of the Philippines underscored the university’s commitment to inclusive and future-ready education. Describing the future of learning as one that requires both innovation and reflection, he shared his vision of a collaborative ASEAN learning ecosystem that co-creates solutions tailored to local needs.
This involves addressing three urgent challenges:
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Closing the digital divide to ensure equitable access.
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Building trust through strong data privacy and security standards.
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Ensuring cultural sensitivity so that adaptive systems reflect Asia’s linguistic and educational diversity.
President of University of the Philippines, Atty. Angelo A. Jimenez offered a forward-looking reflection on the future of learning, underscoring how the rise of technology and artificial intelligence is transforming higher education across ASEAN.
Project Leads from AUN-TEPL co-lead universities, with President of UP and Chancellor of UPD at the official launch of the AUN-TEPL Online Course Exchange Initiative during the 5th AUN-TEPL Symposium in Manila.
One of the key highlights of the symposium was the unveiling of the Online Course Exchange Initiative, jointly led by UM and SMU. The new platform opened access for students across ASEAN to take and transfer credits for online courses offered by AUN-TEPL member universities.
AUN Executive Director, Associate Professor Thanapan Laiprakobsup, reaffirmed the network’s support for member universities in leveraging technology to enhance learning outcomes and student success. He highlighted that the newly launched AUN-TEPL Online Course Exchange Initiative not only enables students across ASEAN to access approved online courses offered by participating universities and receive credit transfer recognition at their home institutions, but also supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) by promoting flexible, cross-border, and lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Keynote Presentation
Generative AI in Education: Between Promise and Evidence
Professor Dragan Gašević, a leading expert in learning analytics from Monash University, delivered the keynote address, “Generative AI in Education: Between Promise and Evidence.” He examined how GenAI is transforming teaching and learning, sharing emerging research on its potential to improve educational practice. At the same time, he cautioned against overreliance on AI, highlighting the need to preserve learner agency, uphold assessment integrity, and strengthen evidence-based approaches to build future-ready skills.
Presentation
Impact of TEPL on Students
Dr. Juraidah Hj Musa from UBD spoke on the impact of TEPL on lifelong learning.
Dr. Juraidah Hj Musa from UBD, presented the impact of TEPL on lifelong learning, focusing on the pedagogies in designing learning activities for digital literacy, gamified learning, and adaptive feedback.
Panel Presentation
Student-initiated engagement with TEPL and Teacher-motivated student engagement to TEPL
A panel featuring representatives from AUN-TEPL co-lead universities, discussed how TEPL is being embedded in higher education. The conversation explored its impact on student engagement, teaching effectiveness, and faculty readiness, with panelists sharing real-world examples of TEPL tools and student feedback that point to improved learning outcomes.
A panel comprising representatives from AUN-TEPL co-lead universities, examined how TEPL is being integrated into higher education. (Panel, second from left: Dr. Siti Rohaiza Binti Ahmad, Asst. Prof. Jessica Junio-Jimemez, Assoc. Prof. Lo Siaw Ling)
STEPS Competition Showcase
In a first, the AUN-TEPL Symposium featured “The Great Ideas: Student-Driven Technology-Enhanced Personalised Learning Showcase (STEPS)”, an undergraduate competition highlighting innovative ways students integrate technology to personalise their learning experiences. Participants submitted short videos demonstrating creative and effective uses of technology in their educational journeys.
Students from UPD, SMU and UM clinched the top prizes at the showcase, with their submissions reflecting students’ commitment to innovation, adaptability, and learner-centred design.
The students’ winning submissions are featured below:
The 5th AUN-TEPL Symposium once again underscored the region’s shared vision of leveraging technology to enrich teaching, empower learners, and expand access to personalised, meaningful education across borders.
The live recording of the 5th AUN-TEPL Symposium is available here.
Photo credit: Multimedia Section, UP Diliman Information Office