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 4 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 

2 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) | 

Speakers

1. Helen Fazey 

 Ambassador, UK Mission to ASEAN 

Ms Fazey is currently the UK Ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), based in Jakarta.  She joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 2002. This is Helen’s second posting in Jakarta, having previously served as Political Counsellor at the British Embassy 2012-15.  Prior to her current role, Helen was working in the Middle East and North Africa Directorate of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in London and as Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Jordan.  She served as Chargé d’Affaires ad interim in Armenia with the personal rank of Ambassador during 2020-21 and as Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Ukraine from 2016 to 2020. Previous roles include postings at the British Embassy in Indonesia, with the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq, and in FCO’s Western Balkans Department. 

 2.  Celeste Maria Martins

Head of the Department of Higher Education and Technical Education at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Culture of Timor-Leste.

She holds a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management and brings eight years of professional experience in higher education and technical education administration. Her work has provided valuable expertise in institutional development, capacity building, and human resource advancement within the education sector.

Ms. Martins is committed to strengthening higher education and technical training in Timor-Leste through policy development, institutional enhancement, and regional and international collaboration. She advocates for quality education and sustainable opportunities that support the nation’s future generations. 

 3. Daley Middleton

Head of Trade at the UK Department for Education.

Leading efforts to strengthen the international reach of UK education and support the delivery of the UK's International Education Strategy. He has extensive experience across government policy, strategy, and programme delivery, with a particular focus on international engagement, education partnerships, and public sector transformation. 

4. Jazreel Goh

Director of British Council Malaysia and Head of the East Asia Insights Hub,

With more than two decades of experience in international education, strategic partnerships, and higher education policy. Since joining the British Council in 2004, she has led major education and mobility initiatives across Asia, including establishing the Education Intelligence Unit and launching the UK’s flagship Generation UK programme. Previously, she worked across Malaysia, Australia, Hong Kong, and China in brand management, investment, and education consultancy. She was awarded an MBE in 2017 for services to UK education in China and is recognised as a leading voice in international education cooperation across the ASEAN region. 

5. Lotus Postrado

Country Director, Philippines – British Council

Lotus Postrado is the Director Philippines at the British Council. She is an education specialist, working extensively in and with government, regional, international and cultural relations organisations. Prior to her current leadership role, Lotus led the British Council’s Education work, pioneering UK-Philippines collaborations on Transnational Education Programme.

5. Professor Dato’ Elizabeth Lee

Chief Executive Officer, Sunway Education Group  

As CEO of the Sunway Education Group, Professor Dato’ Elizabeth Lee has grown the organisation over the years from just one institution to its current dynamic group of over 20 institutions. She is a well-respected thought-leader on education, leadership, and women empowerment. Elizabeth also contributes towards Malaysia’s education ecosystem, in the areas of transnational education, democratisation of access, and the inculcation of sustainability in education.  

She encourages new innovative education approaches which push the realm of possibilities in terms of education access for the students from all walks of life, while anchoring teaching and learning efforts on digitalisation as well as the UN Sustainable Development Goals to nurture future-ready and values-driven leaders of the future. 

6. Professor Kostas Kontis

Dean for Global Engagement – East Asia and China at the University of Glasgow and Chair of the Universities UK International Asia Network.

He holds the Sir Henry Mechan Chair of Engineering and is Professor of Aerospace Engineering. His international leadership focuses on university partnerships, transnational education, student mobility, joint educational programmes, and research and innovation collaboration. He has extensive experience engaging with university leaders, governments, and international partners across Asia, promoting sustainable and mutually beneficial academic cooperation. Professor Kontis is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.

7. Professor Sir Steve Smith 

UK Government International Education Champion 

Professor Sir Steve Smith is the UK Government International Education Champion. He was previously Vice-Chancellor of the University of Exeter from 2002-2020. In November 2020, he was also appointed as the Prime Minister’s Special Representative to Saudi Arabia for Education. 

Sir Steve holds a BSc, an MSc, and a PhD in International Relations from the University of Southampton. He served as President of the world academic body in his field (the International Studies Association) from 2003-2004. 

Sir Steve was President of Universities UK (UUK) from 2009-2011; Chair of the UCAS Board from 2013 – 2019; Board member of the Russell Group (2012-2020); Chair of UUK’s International Policy Network and Chair of UUK’s International Strategic Advisory Board (2015-2020); Member of the UUK Board (2006-2020). He is currently a Fulbright Commissioner, a Non-Executive Director of Unite Students, Chair of the Liveable Exeter Place Board, and a Patron of Exeter College. 

From 2007 until 2010, he led for higher education on the Prime Minister’s National Council of Excellence in Education. Sir Steve was knighted in the 2011 Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to higher education locally and nationally. 
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