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.

Impact and News for Southeast Asia and the Philippines

Person holding a lightbulb on a morning sunset.

UDI Announces Request for Expressions of Interest for the Transformation Accelerator Program in the Philippines

The University Design Institute (UDI) at Arizona State University is excited to announce the release of Request for Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the…

Leaders from the Philippines' Commission on Higher Education gather at Old Main.

U.S.-Philippines Delegation Visits ASU Tempe campus among UPSKILL Program Launch

The University Design Institute welcomed 12 higher education leaders from the Philippines on June 21 and 22 to connect with leaders from across Arizona State…

USAID/Philippines Mission Director Ryan Washburn (center, in suit and tie) and CHED Chairman J. Prospero De Vera III (center in white button-down shirt) launch the USAID UPSKILL Higher Education Innovation Leaders Fellowship Program. The launch featured the first batch of fellows, composed of 16 senior academic leaders and higher education officials from across the Philippines who will participate in an eight-month learning program, including sessions at Arizona State University, so they can drive innovatio

New ASU-led fellowship focused on reimagining higher education in the Philippines

UDI launched a fellowship program aimed at transforming higher education in the Philippines amidst challenges of access and degree attainment, as part of a…

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.

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