The University of San Agustin (USA) strengthened its engagement with the Philippine and international higher education community through its participation in the Higher Education Partnerships Conference (HEPCON) 2026, held on 01-02 October 2026 at the Radisson Blu Cebu.
Representing USA at the two-day conference was Assistant Professor John Paul P. Mondejar, Director of the International Relations Office (IRO).
Organized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and MSW Global, HEPCON 2026 brought together higher education leaders, government officials, internationalization practitioners, and industry representatives from the Philippines and abroad to strengthen partnerships and explore new avenues for cooperation in higher education.
The conference provided a platform for dialogue, professional exchange, and networking among institutions engaged in domestic and international higher education partnerships. Its program included keynote presentations, panel discussions, an education exhibition, breakout sessions, and partnership meetings, offering participants opportunities to exchange perspectives and explore areas for collaboration.
Participants from the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Singapore, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, and Russia took part in the conference, reflecting the increasingly international character of higher education cooperation and partnership-building.
The conference also provided a broader perspective on the evolving landscape of international higher education, with discussions highlighting the need for institutions to make international partnerships more purposeful, responsive, and mutually beneficial. CHED Chairperson Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis underscored the importance of translating institutional linkages into concrete outcomes, particularly in creating opportunities that directly benefit higher education communities.
Her remarks placed emphasis on the growing scale of international engagement among Philippine higher education institutions, with 326 Philippine HEIs currently linked with 2,479 foreign partners across 116 countries.
For USA, the discussions at HEPCON 2026 provided valuable perspectives on how internationalization can move beyond the signing of agreements toward sustained institutional relationships, meaningful academic collaboration, and tangible opportunities for students and faculty.
The conference likewise brought together higher education stakeholders from across the region and beyond, creating opportunities for dialogue and professional exchange on emerging directions in international education, including regional cooperation, international student mobility, and the changing role of technology and artificial intelligence in higher education.
A significant moment during the conference for USA was Director Mondejar’s encounter with CHED Chairperson Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, providing an opportunity to exchange greetings and discuss the continuing importance of strengthening higher education partnerships and advancing internationalization among Philippine higher education institutions.
For USA, participation in HEPCON 2026 forms part of the University’s continuing efforts to expand and strengthen its network of institutional partners and advance its internationalization agenda.
“Internationalization is not simply about establishing partnerships. It is about developing meaningful relationships that translate into opportunities for our students and academic community while strengthening the University’s contribution to the wider higher education community,” Director Mondejar said.
Through the IRO, the University of San Agustin continues to develop and facilitate partnerships with higher education institutions and organizations in the Philippines and abroad, supporting academic collaboration, student and faculty mobility, cultural exchange, knowledge-sharing, and other international engagements.
The University’s participation in HEPCON 2026 reflects USA’s continuing commitment to strengthening partnerships and fostering global engagement as integral components of its institutional development and internationalization efforts.
As an Augustinian institution, USA remains guided by its enduring values of Unitas, Caritas, and Veritas as it builds meaningful partnerships that contribute to the formation of globally engaged learners and to the advancement of higher education.
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