Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) recently participated in the QS Higher Ed Summit: Asia Pacific 2023 as part of the Philippine delegation under the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). The summit is hosted annually by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), and this year, it took place from the 7th to the 9th of November 2023 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), Malaysia. The conference explored the theme: “Creating the Right Outcomes: Universities and the Future of Work in the Asia Pacific.”
CHED, recognizing ADDU’s commitment to academic excellence and global recognition, extended an invitation to the university to join the summit. Being one of the primary sponsors of the QS Summit this year, CHED underlined its shared dedication with QS to enhancing the global reputation and reach of Asian universities—a mission that resonates with its vision for the Philippine higher education sector. ADDU stands out as the only QS-ranking institution in Region XI, marking its attendance as an important representation of Mindanao. ADDU sent Ms. Fatima Jennae B. Jereza, Assistant Director of the Ateneo Internationalization for Mindanao Office, to join the other delegates from QS-ranking higher education institutions in the Philippines.
The QS Higher Ed Summit: Asia Pacific 2023 commenced with a culturally enriched performance that welcomed guests and delegates from various higher education institutions worldwide. The opening ceremony formally introduced the organizing partners and co-hosts of QS for the conference, namely, the Center for Shaping Advanced & Professional Education (UKM SHAPE) at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Applied Science Private University (ASU) in Jordan, and Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS), operating under the purview of the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia.
Being the host country, Malaysia’s educational landscape took precedence while also introducing universal issues within the conference’s theme.
Furthermore, a keynote address from His Highness Tunku Ali Redhauddin Ibni Tuanku Muhriz, Tunku Besar of Seri Menanti, constituted a highlight of the opening ceremony. His Highness engaged the audience in contemplating the future shaped by the emergence of generative artificial intelligence (AI), emphasizing the critical intersections of education with industry, internationalization, and rankings.
Recognizing the inevitability of job transformation and elimination due to the mainstreaming of AI, HH Muhriz contextualized these changes as an evolutionary trend intrinsic to technological advancements throughout history. Drawing parallels to the advent of the internet, he underscored the need to understand and shape AI’s use in a manner that aligns with human interests.
HH Muhriz also emphasized the significance of Higher Education Institution (HEI)-industry collaboration, discussing its pivotal role in initiatives related to micro-credentials, re-training, and lifelong learning. This theme resonated throughout the conference, highlighting the substantial role such collaboration plays in the future of education. Internationalization, particularly when geared towards research and mobility, was also underscored as a transformative force.
In addressing the subject of international rankings, HH Muhriz challenged the delegates to critically evaluate the nuances of performance metrics. Since there is no one-size-fits-all approach, he advocated for thoughtful consideration of metrics that resonate meaningfully, not just for individual institutions, but also for fostering collaborative efforts that uplift all stakeholders in the sector.
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