12 Higher Education Teams join Inaugural Cohort of the 2024 Transformation Accelerator in the Philippines

The University Design Institute

Our Work in the Philippines and Southeast Asia

Advancing higher education leadership and impact throughout Southeast Asia and the Philippines.

Ongoing partnerships. Local leadership. Lasting transformation.

The University Design Institute (UDI) at Arizona State University is building long-term collaborations across Southeast Asia to reimagine how higher education can meet the demands of today — and tomorrow. Our work is grounded in the belief that real change happens when innovation is led by local leaders, informed by global perspective, and sustained through partnership.

UDI is building lasting partnerships across Southeast Asia to reimagine the future of higher education — with a strong and continuing focus on the Philippines.

Through fellowships, institutional transformation projects, and system-wide coalitions, UDI supports local leaders who are reshaping universities to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world. Our work in the region began through the UPSKILL Program, a USAID-funded initiative that accelerated institutional innovation and leadership development at a national scale in the Philippines.

A Deep Commitment to the Philippines

UDI’s work in Southeast Asia began with a focus on the Philippines, where we’ve partnered with institutional coalitions, university leaders, and government stakeholders to strengthen innovation capacity across the country.

Through the UPSKILL Program, a USAID-funded initiative that accelerated institutional innovation and leadership development at a national scale in the Philippines, we successfully launched the Higher Education Innovation Leaders Fellowship, which graduated 16 fellows from 12 institutions and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Philippines federal regulatory agency responsible for higher education.

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Impact and News for Southeast Asia and the Philippines

Bong Eliab sitting on a tan leather couch, wearing a blue shirt and black pants
Bong Eliab, Executive Vice President of Ateneo de Davao University, shares how the UPSKILL Innovation Leaders Fellowship shaped his leadership and…

ASU President Michael Crow speaks to UPSKILL Immersive Fellows
The University Design Institute (UDI) launched the Higher Education Innovation Leaders Fellowship as part of the USAID-funded UPSKILL initiative to develop the…

Leaders from the 12 universities and Filipino government officials gather for the Accelerator launch.
The University Design Institute (UDI) welcomed 12 teams from higher education institutions across the Philippines for the inaugural Transformation Accelerator…

Michael M. Crow, President of ASU

Arizona State University is a pioneer in making higher education accessible on a global level. We are fully engaged in finding innovative ways to create teaching and learning impact at scale, and we are excited to have a leading role in transforming the future of higher education in the Philippines.

Michael M. Crow ASU President and UDI Chairman

Advancing our work in Southeast Asia and the Philippines

UDI is committed to long-term collaboration and partnership with universities, systems and governments throughout Southeast Asia, empowering leaders to design for equity, scale and innovation in higher education. 

Are you interested in partnering with us in the region? Get in touch.

Contact UDI.