Saint Mary’s University (SMU) joined higher education institutions and education stakeholders in the “ASEAN Connect: Celebrating Unity in Diversity Through Education, Culture, and Innovation” held on August 25, 2026 at Lujo Bar and Restaurant, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan. The activity was organized by the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office II (CHEDRO2) in partnership with Cagayan State University as part of the ASEAN Philippines 2026 celebration with the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together.”

Representing SMU were Dr. Moises Alexander Asuncion, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Mary Grace Bulatao, Dean of Student Affairs and Services; Mrs. Pearl Via Coballes, Director for Human Resource Development Office; and Ms. Ronda Navalta, Head of the Cultural Affairs Office. Their participation reflected the University’s commitment to advancing academic excellence, internationalization, quality assurance, student development, human resource development, and cultural engagement in the ASEAN higher education community.

A key highlight of the event was the keynote address, “Advancing ASEAN Higher Education Through Quality Assurance, Internationalization, and Academic Excellence,” delivered by Dr. Christine Nabor-Ferrer, Director IV and Director-in-Charge of the CHED International Affairs Service.  The event further featured the ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the implementation of the Building Resilience and Innovation in Developing Global Engagements (BRIDGE) Initiative and the “Adopt an Institution” Framework for Internationalization. Saint Mary’s University was among the participating institutions in the signing, alongside Cagayan State University, Isabela State University, Nueva Vizcaya State University, St. Paul University Philippines, University of Cagayan Valley, University of Saint Louis Tuguegarao, and CHED Regional Office II. 

The afternoon session featured “AUN-QA Membership and Its Benefits in the Quality Assurance of Higher Education,” with Mrs. Coballes, as resource speaker. The session highlighted the relevance of AUN-QA membership to quality assurance in higher education and complemented the event’s broader focus on academic quality, regional engagement, and institutional development