Demonstrating its commitment to global academic collaboration and innovation, the University of Northern Philippines (UNP), headed by Dr. Erwin F. Cadorna, signed nineteen Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs)—nine with international institutions and ten with Philippine higher education institutions (HEIs)—during the Association of Universities of Asia and the Pacific (AUAP) Joint Events 2025, held at Chardonnay by Astoria, Pasig City from May 21 to 23, 2025.
The MOU signing ceremony was one of the key highlights of the three-day event organized by AUAP in collaboration with 12 local host institutions. The Joint Events 2025 featured the 9th AUAP Forum & Networking, the 37th AUAP Annual Conference, and the 30th Anniversary Celebration of AUAP, drawing over 150 participants from institutions across Asia and the Pacific to engage in academic discourse, policy development, and strategic networking.
The MOUs outline collaborative efforts in key academic areas such as faculty and student exchange, joint research projects, shared academic resources, training programs, and participation in international conferences, lectures, and workshops. These partnerships aim to advance shared goals aligned with global standards and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The international institutions that signed MOUs with UNP include: Vikrant University (India), INTI International University (Malaysia), CCN University of Science and Technology (Bangladesh), John von Neumann University (Hungary), SEGi University Sdn Bhd (Malaysia), Daffodil International University (Bangladesh), SIAS University (China), American International University (Bangladesh), and Daegu Health College (South Korea).
The following Philippine HEIs also joined UNP in forging new academic linkages: Rizal Technological University, Centro Escolar University, Davao del Sur State College, Panpacific University, Southville International School and Colleges, Emilio Aguinaldo College, Bataan Peninsula State University, Davao Oriental State University, World Citi Colleges, and Eastern Visayas State University.
Each MOU is valid for five years and provides a framework for implementing specific projects through separate Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs). These support common goals in education, innovation, and global partnerships aligned with the SDGs.
The signing of these MOUs signifies more than a symbolic gesture—it opens pathways for sustained academic growth, cross-border collaboration, and mutual capacity-building. For UNP, these agreements provide opportunities to internationalize its curriculum, enhance research outputs through joint studies, and offer students and faculty broader exposure to diverse learning environments. At the same time, they affirm UNP’s strategic role in fostering inclusive education that honors cultural identity while meeting global standards.
“These partnerships are a testament to our shared vision of promoting academic excellence and cultural understanding,” said Dr. Cadorna. “We look forward to meaningful collaborations that will benefit our students, faculty, and communities.”
By establishing these new linkages during one of the region’s most significant higher education gatherings, UNP reaffirms its role as a leader in culturally rooted, globally oriented education. The university’s continued efforts in internationalization align with its mission to create transformative learning experiences while honoring its identity as an institution in a UNESCO World Heritage City.
UNP also received a plaque of recognition and appreciation from AUAP for having the largest number of delegates among all participating institutions—a testament to its strong presence and active leadership in international collaboration.
The AUAP Joint Events 2025 marked a concrete step forward in building resilient, inclusive, and forward-looking academic partnerships in Asia and beyond—anchored in cooperation, innovation, and shared educational goals.
Article by Dean Alvin Pablico, Photos by Kriza Rosette Cadorna, Glenn Paul Briones, and Edmar Paguirigan
