ASEAN–UK Higher Education Week 2026, Manila, Philippines, 3 to 5 November 2026

As ASEAN Chair in 2026, the Philippines will host ASEAN–UK Higher Education Week in Manila from 3 to 5 November 2026. 

Organised by the British Council in partnership with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the week brings together senior policymakers, university leaders, researchers, international education practitioners and development partners from across ASEAN and the United Kingdom to strengthen higher education cooperation and shape a shared vision for the future of ASEAN–UK engagement. 

Over three days, the programme offers a platform for dialogue, partnership development and knowledge exchange in: 

  • internationalisation and higher education partnerships 
  • transnational education (TNE) 
  • student and staff mobility 
  • research and innovation 
  • skills development and graduate employability 
  • digital transformation and artificial intelligence in higher education 
  • quality assurance and regional higher education integration. 

The week at a glance 

3 days  of policy dialogue, panel discussions and partnership building in Manila 
1 strategy launch  the Philippines Transnational Higher Education Strategy 
75 universities  at the ASEAN Universities Partnership Exchange: from the UK, from the Philippines and  from across ASEAN 
12 countries  represented across ASEAN and the UK 

 

Senior policymakers and higher education leaders from the UK and ASEAN meet under the theme UK–ASEAN Higher Education: Shaping the Next Generation of Partnerships. 

The dialogue explores greater opportunities for cooperation in future talent and skills, research and innovation ecosystems, digital transformation and AI, and international partnerships and mobility. 

Date: Tuesday 3 November 2026 

Time: 08.30 to 10.00 

Venue: [to be confirmed], Manila 

This session is by invitation only. 

The opening programme sets out UK and ASEAN perspectives on the next decade of higher education cooperation, followed by two panel discussions: 

Keynote fireside chat: The Next Decade of UK–ASEAN Higher Education Cooperation 

Panel discussion 1: UK–ASEAN Transnational Education Partnerships: Challenges and Opportunities, covering the TNE landscape, the enablers of successful partnerships, and alignment with national development and skills priorities 

Panel discussion 2: Research, Innovation and Knowledge Partnerships for UK–ASEAN Growth, covering research collaboration, capacity strengthening, university–industry–government collaboration and funding mechanisms 

The day closes with a welcome reception, featuring remarks and cultural performances, where participants can continue conversations and build new connections. 

Date: Tuesday 3 November 2026 

Time: 10.30 to 16.15; welcome reception 18.00 to 21.00 

Venue: [to be confirmed], Manila 

The Commission on Higher Education will launch the Philippines Transnational Higher Education Strategy, setting the direction for how Philippine institutions partner with universities overseas. 

The launch is followed by perspectives from government, universities and regional partners on moving from strategy to partnerships. 

Date: Wednesday 4 November 2026 

Time: 09.00 to 10.30 

Venue: [to be confirmed], Manila 

Panel discussion 3: Are Our Universities Ready for 2035? A UK–ASEAN Conversation on the Future of Higher Education, covering future skills and employability in an AI-enabled economy, digital transformation, evolving models of internationalisation, lifelong learning and micro-credentials, and student wellbeing and inclusion 

Closing plenary: Beyond Partnerships: Defining a UK–ASEAN Higher Education Agenda for 2035 

Date: Wednesday 4 November 2026 

Time: 11.00 to 13.00 

Venue: [to be confirmed], Manila

The Partnership Exchange turns dialogue into practical collaboration. Universities from the UK, the Philippines and across ASEAN meet to explore joint programmes, research collaboration and staff and student mobility through:  an institutional showcase partnership hubs one-to-one matchmaking. 

Date: Wednesday 4 November 2026 

Time: 14.00 to 16.00 

Venue: [to be confirmed], Manila 

Partners 

In partnership with:  ASEAN Philippines 2026 and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) | 
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