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The University of Southern Mindanao (USM) through Prof. Bryan Lloyd P. Bretaña, the Director for International Affairs, attended the ASEAN Quality Assurance Network (AQAN) Members’ Forum and General Assembly on October 9–10, 2025 at Diamond Hotel, Malate, Metro Manila.
During the assembly, several significant developments took place that marked important strides in regional quality assurance initiatives. The signing of a tripartite Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the ASEAN Quality Assurance Network (AQAN), the ASEAN University Network (AUN), and the SEAMEO Regional Institute of Higher Education and Development (SEAMEO RIHED) transpired during the event.
Dr. Milabel E. Ho, AQAN President, delivered her inaugural speech for the AQAN Forum and General Assembly, she articulated her vision for the organization by applying the insights and practices she had developed over the course of her career.
The assembly also featured comprehensive discussions on both regional and global quality assurance frameworks. A major highlight was the official launch and promotion of the AUN-QA Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) Management Toolkit, Version 1.3. Additionally, the event provided a vital platform for dialogue among member institutions, encouraging the exchange of ideas and fostering a spirit of collaborative governance. The convention was composed of different plenary sessions from the Officials of AUN and SEAMEO RIHED.
The event concluded with strengthened regional cooperation in quality assurance and enhanced institutional capacity through shared tools and frameworks. Participants renewed their commitment to harmonizing standards across ASEAN and beyond, while setting clear strategic directions for AQAN under its new leadership.
