SMU President Dr. John Octavious S. Palina joined other administrators from twelve ASEAN universities in welcoming participants during the Passage to ASEAN (P2A) Virtual Mobility in Hospitality and Tourism opening ceremony on March 21, 2022.

Dr. Hang Le, Director, P2A Secretariat, Vice Provost at Duy Tan University in Vietnam, welcomed the leaders, presidents, and coordinators of the participating institutions and first-time participants in the event. She emphasized that the activity, with the theme ASEAN Go! Explore New Horizon, aims to increase employability.

In his welcome message, Dr. Palina expressed warm greetings from SMU. He said that the conduct of virtual mobilities is an indication that we have adapted well to our current situation, especially since different technological tools and platforms are accessible for us. He also commended the organizers for their efforts to arrange such activity, which prompted him to say that “great minds create great results.”

The virtual mobility will run from March 21, 2022, to April 14, 2022. Fifteen HTM students from SMU will participate in the activity. They will be grouped with students from other ASEAN universities. SMU Hotel and Tourism Management Head Dr. Mayvelyn Covita will serve as one of the judges, while HTM faculty Mr. Mark Ian Soriano will be a facilitator.
P2A is a non-profit Network officially formed in June 2012 during the First Assembly of Representatives hosted by Rangsit University in Thailand and attended by Duy Tan University in Vietnam and other ASEAN Institutions. SMU is an active member of the P2A.