Br. Bernie discusses the state of digitalization in PHL in intl confab

De La Salle University President Br. Bernard Oca FSC discussed the country’s state of digitalization in higher education including its challenges and prospects at The Association of Southeast Asian Institutions of Higher Learning (ASAIHL) Conference 2025.

Held at Beltei International University, Phnom Penh, Cambodia from July 6 to 8, the event gathered academics, researchers, administrators, and students from across the Southeast Asian region and beyond to discuss the digitalization of higher education and related topics such as AI, digital divide, social media, and digital transformation, among others.

Br. Bernie, who concurrently sits as ASAIHL board member and National Council of the Philippines president, highlighted the state of internet penetration and use in the Philippine schools, key digitalization initiatives of HEIs and DLSU, and long-term recommendations towards a transformative digital strategy.

According to him, there is a need for public investment in digital infrastructure, redesigning of rules and procedures for implementing digital education, and continued discussions on what learning quality looks like under hybrid modalities. He ended by saying “As one of the world’s leading users of the internet in general and social media in particular, there is no shortage of appetite for change. We welcome every opportunity to work with like-minded institutions to create a more digitally literate and equitable ASEAN.”

Established in 1955, ASAIHL is one of the oldest regional organizations in Southeast Asia. It has 246 member institutions from 25 countries.