Harmonizing Higher Education in ASEAN Generating trust in light of internationalization and Integration Prof Alex B. Brillantes, Jr., PhD Commissioner, Commission on Higher Education Office of the President, Republic of the Philippines (on secondment from the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance) Notes for Presentation and discussion at the 2 nd Share National Workshop on the Impact of Qualifications Frameworks, Cambodia and Learning Outcomes in ASEAN, 19-20, Siem Reap Gratitude is expressed to Dr Susanne Lierman, SHARE Project Manager, DAAD Regional Office, Jakarta for the invitation to be part of this important event. Gratitude likewise to Commissioner Dr Cynthia Bautista, Atty Lilly Freida T. Macabangun-Milla Director of the International Affairs Staff of the Commission on Higher Education for her advice. The kind assistance of Ms Cleo Angeline Cachapero and Ms Blaise Regacho is also acknowledged.

TOR as Panelist: Address the following areas: Generating – and sustaining trust – between and among ASEAN members states in the Higher Education Sector Benefits of a better harmonized ASEAN Higher Education Landscape Expectations regarding harmonized Higher Education Urgent needs and possible next steps to move forward with harmonizing ASEAN’s HE landscape

Key Messages 1. It is imperative to recognize that regional governance and institutional mechanisms in place ASEAN since 1967: about to celebrate 50 years of ASEAN! AEC since 2016 Unity in Diversity: Bhinneka Tunggal Eka ASEAN identity in place: Own experience: SSEAYP in It is imperative that we continue to develop and adapt and shift paradigms and perspectives within the context of the ASEAN community: GLOCALIZATION: Think Global Act Local COOPETITIONS: Cooperation and Competition

3. Build on upon existing institutional infrastructure in the HE Sector that have been in designed and in place the past decades AND ALIGN NATIONAL HEI PROGRAMS to them Supachai: “Globalization has helped transform higher education and necessitated adaptive responses from national governments. Regional harmonization of higher education policies and practices was highlighted as the primary means to respond to the phenomenon. a)Mobility / Credit Transfer b)Research c)Quality Assurance d)Qualifications Frameworks

a) Mobility / Credit Transfer ASEAN International Mobility for Students (AIMS): 12 HEIs in Philippines participating in AIMS ASEAN University Network (30 HEIs with 3 Philippine Universities) AUN SEED-Net : Southeast Asia Engineering Education Development Network : 26 members, 14 Japanes with 3 universities from Philippines part of AUN University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific (UMAP) association of government and no-government representatives of HEIs in the region

b) Research ASEAN Citation Index (ACI) since 2013 Dedicated to forming a regional research citation index, the ACI will be a database to compile national journal databases in ASEAN countries.

c) Quality Assurance ASEAN Quality Assurance Network (AQAN) Philippine members: CHED, Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACUP), Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU) AUN Quality Assurance

d) Qualifications Frameworks The AQRF aims to promote the recognition of qualifications, facilitate lifelong learning, credit transfer and learner mobility, among others. (referencing) Earlier on before AQRF, Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRAs) were set off aiming at enabling qualifications of professional service suppliers to be mutually recognized. Areas include engineering, nurnsing, architecture, surveying, medical practitioners, dental practitioners and accountancy

4. Recognize the role of international partners and work with them. a. EU Share b. ASEAN Plus Three (APT) APT Working Group on Mobility of Higher Education and Ensuring Quality Assurance of Higher Education among APT Countries was established to:  Share information  Promote capacity building  Expand networks and increase communication  Propose and implement collaboration projects

Finally, issues and Concerns for Consideration (support from ASEAN) Short Term immersion programs in the educational system and in the communities Medium Term: one semester, credit transfer Long Term – consortium arrangements; degree programs; twinning Leadership development: Higher Education Career System I end with an indicative governance reform framework that we have been using and may be applicable to higher ed towards a common vision of harmonized higher education in ASEAN

Applying an Indicative Policy Pyramid Values – ASEAN identity; TRUST Policies: ASEAN and AEC Programs: HEI harmonization, Projects: mobility, credit transfere ASEAN citation index Activities: university and HEI levels

Continuing engagement of stakeholders Martin Valcke and Stefan Hell who emphasized role of stakeholders, employers, alumni, students Develop “Outcomes based mindsets” (CMO 46 since 2012) vs CU in 2008 ASEAN mindset of Glocalization and Coopetition Academic Freedom NOT related at all. Role of government: enabler to regulator Encourage innovative leaders Role of Champions in the University: Dr Kalaya of Chualungkorn U and Outcomes based. Develop leadership among HEIs (PhilHECS) Institutional mechanisms and process in place at the regional an national level: outcomes based; quality assurance accreditation; quality frameworks Tri-focalized structure In the Philippines Town and gown Leadership Active Citizens' Engagement VISION

To summarize Policy and institutional mechanisms in place ASEAN mindsets in place within the context glocalization and coopetition Zeroing in on higher education concerns, we need to build upon and align our HE agenda and reforms in the following areas Mobility / Credit Transfer Research Quality Assurance Qualifications Frameworks Reform is a continuing process. Need to be sustained. Build on four areas: institutions, mindset, leadership and people engagement Continued communication and information exchange: ASEAN provides framework and individual countries align their programs and projects to the broad agreed upon regional policies