PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — Higher education institutions across the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) solidified new partnerships for research and academic exchange during the BIMP-EAGA International Research Conference and Training held from August 26 to 28, 2025, at Citystate Asturias Hotel.
Organized by the Philippine EAGA Higher Education Institutions Consortium (PEHEIC) and Palawan State University, with support from the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) as the Philippine Coordinating Agency for BIMP-EAGA, the conference gathered universities and research institutions to present studies, share best practices, and develop initiatives aligned with regional priorities.
Academic Alliances Sealed
A highlight of the event was the ceremonial signing of agreements that marked a new era of academic cooperation in the subregion. Palawan State University and Universiti Malaysia Sabah inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to launch collaborative research and academic exchange.
This was followed by a Letter of Intent involving Universiti Malaysia, PEHEIC, the Konsortium Universiti Universitas Borneo (KUUB), the Consortium of Eastern Indonesia State Universities (CEISU), and the University of Calapan State Foundation (UCSF), signaling wider collaboration across borders.
MinDA played a crucial role in facilitating these linkages, emphasizing research as a driver of innovation, inclusive policies, and sustainable growth for Mindanao and Palawan.
Leaders Call for Research-Driven Development
In his keynote speech, House Committee on Higher and Technical Education Chair Cong. Jude Acidre underscored the importance of responsive and grounded research in transforming communities.
“The true wealth of our region lies in the knowledge of our people, and research provides the evidence that sustains transformation,” Acidre said.
Echoing this vision, MinDA Director Rodrigo Giducos described the conference as a platform for shaping the subregion’s future. “Research informs better policies; education builds stronger institutions; and collaboration drives a more connected and competitive subregion,” he noted.
Meanwhile, Cong. Maximo Rodriguez, Chair of the House Committee on BIMP-EAGA, called for stronger support to state universities and colleges, the removal of travel taxes, integration of artificial intelligence in education, and the inclusion of BIMP-EAGA studies in academic programs to ensure inclusive growth in Mindanao.
Aligned with National Priorities
The conference’s outcomes align closely with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023–2028, which prioritizes innovation, sustainability, and inclusive development. By linking academic outputs with real-world solutions, the event advanced the President’s call to harness higher education for policy reform and socio-economic progress.
The push for green and digital transformation also resonated throughout the event. Mr. FeelGeun Song of the Global Green Growth Institute reaffirmed support through the BIMP-EAGA–Republic of Korea Cooperation Fund (BKCF), highlighting projects in agro-enterprise development, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and environmental monitoring.
Education as a Pillar of Cooperation
Since its establishment in 1994, BIMP-EAGA has evolved beyond trade and infrastructure, increasingly recognizing education and research as critical pillars of cooperation. This year’s conference underscored the growing role of higher education institutions in driving innovation and building bridges across borders, setting the stage for a more connected and sustainable subregion.