Higher Education Innovation Leaders Fellowship in the Philippines

The University Design Institute (UDI) launched the Higher Education Innovation Leaders Fellowship as part of the USAID-funded UPSKILL initiative to develop the future leaders of Filipino higher education. The Fellowship provided critical skills in higher education design and innovation, empowering participants to become institutional change-makers and ambassadors for transformation across the country.

Shaping the Next Generation of Higher Ed Leaders

The Fellowship brought together 16 senior leaders from 12 top higher education institutions in the Philippines, as well as representatives from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the national agency governing higher education institutions. The eight-month program ran from May to December 2024 and included both virtual and in-person engagements. Fellows participated in masterclasses facilitated by UDI and its Global Expert Network, as well as an immersive visit to Arizona State University’s Tempe campus. There, they met with ASU leaders—including ASU President and UDI Chairman Dr. Michael Crow—and explored best practices from one of the world’s most innovative universities.

The program concluded in December 2024 with a two-day session at Far Eastern University in Manila. During the event, Fellows showcased their progress and were formally awarded their Fellowship titles. Each participant developed a unique project addressing institutional challenges such as leveraging AI for a more personalized learning experience or to strengthen lifelong learning initiatives within institutions. The Fellows presented their goals and implementation plans during the graduation ceremony.

From Graduation to Real-World Impact

“The most valuable experience [in the Fellows program] is that it opened our eyes to the problems and challenges of higher education in the Philippines,” said Bong Eliab, executive vice president at Ateneo de Davao University and a member of the Fellowship cohort. “It's a mission, I think, that we have to do—how we can help elevate the higher education landscape in the Philippines. And for me, that's a personal mission… How do we redesign our universities so that they really solve real problems in the Philippines? And that, for me, is important.”

Following the program’s conclusion, the Fellows have continued refining and implementing their innovation projects. Through this process, they aim to translate their learnings into actionable solutions that address real-world challenges and drive institutional transformation.

How a Global Partnership Sparked Local Change

The Fellowship was part of the broader U.S.-Philippines Partnership for Skills, Innovation and Lifelong Learning (UPSKILL), a USAID initiative designed to strengthen innovation, workforce development, and entrepreneurship across Philippine higher education. ASU, through UDI, was one of three U.S. institutions selected to support the program, led by RTI International.

The Fellowship was initially designed to include five cohorts, with the goal of developing more than 100 higher education leaders and establishing a nationwide network of transformative leadership. However, the UPSKILL program was terminated by USAID in March 2025.

Despite the program’s early conclusion, Fellowship alumni have built a strong, ongoing network. Following graduation, the cohort developed plans for a Fellowship alumni network and have continued to meet independently. In early 2025, Fellows began visiting each other’s institutions, sharing best practices and exploring new strategies for higher education transformation based on UDI’s six design imperatives. They are now more proactively engaging within their institutions and across the national higher education system, working to improve outcomes for learners, research, and their broader communities.

“Participating in the Innovation Leaders Fellowship through the UPSKILL initiative was a rewarding experience that broadened my perspective on reimagining and redesigning medical education for the 21st century,” said Maya Santos, Dean of the School of Medicine at Mapua University. “Being part of a diverse and passionate community provided invaluable support and inspiration for driving positive change.”