The University of the Philippines Cebu hosted a knowledge dialogue on resilient, inclusive, scalable, and sustainable learning systems on September 23, 2026, bringing together education leaders, researchers, and partners as part of the preparations for the 31st International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE) World Conference 2027 in Cebu Province.
Convened by ICDE and the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) and hosted in partnership with UP Cebu, the dialogue is one of the activities leading up to the global conference, which will be held on November 15–19, 2027. The 31st ICDE World Conference will bring together educators, policymakers, and education leaders from around the world under the theme “Reimagining Education for a Sustainable Future.”
Opening the dialogue, Central Visayas Studies Center Director Dr. Daisy Romeo encouraged participants to share not only what works in their respective institutions, but also what does not, to identify opportunities for collaboration and learn across institutions.
ICDE Secretary-General Ms. Torunn Gjelsvik provided the global context of distance education, highlighting the continuing challenge of making education inclusive, scalable, and sustainable across different learner realities.
Gjelsvik noted that about one-third of the world’s population still does not have access to the internet, illustrating how access to education remains shaped by significant differences in infrastructure and circumstances. She also discussed ICDE’s work toward Sustainable Development Goal 4 on quality education for all, as well as its networks for quality, capacity-building, advocacy, research, and knowledge sharing.
Bringing the discussion closer to the Philippine context, UPOU Chancellor Dr. Joane V. Serrano discussed how disruptions caused by disasters, infrastructure issues, health emergencies, conflict, and other crises can affect the continuity of learning.
Serrano raised the question of how institutions can ensure that learning does not stop whenever physical classrooms become unavailable. She emphasized that access is only the beginning, as inclusion also requires institutions to consider the different realities of learners and how learning environments are designed around them.
She also touched on Republic Act No. 10650, or the Open Distance Learning Act, which provides a framework for open and distance learning in Philippine higher education. The discussion underscored the need for learning systems where disruption does not automatically result in interruption.
For the local context, UP Cebu Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Asst. Prof. Palmy Marinel P. Tudtud emphasized that disruption is not an exceptional event. Learning systems, she said, need to be designed to adapt and prepare for disruptions before they occur.
Tudtud noted that responding to disruption goes beyond simply moving classes online. Meaningful learning can take place through different pathways, depending on the circumstances of learners and institutions.
“Flexibility does not mean lowering academic standards. It simply means creating appropriate pathways toward meaningful learning while maintaining academic quality and rigor,” Tudtud said.
She also highlighted UP Cebu’s initiatives in hosting programs involving different UP Constituent Units, allowing learners and partners in Cebu to access wider sources of expertise without having to relocate. This reflects UP Cebu’s role as a gateway to the wider resources of the University.
Participants then took part in roundtable discussions organized around topics relevant to their experiences and institutional contexts. The sessions provided opportunities to exchange practices, identify challenges, and discuss possible areas for collaboration.
The reflections and next steps toward the 2027 global conference were presented by Dr. Ria Borromeo, Organizing Committee Chair, and Anais Malbrand, Head of Events, Projects and Services of the 31st ICDE World Conference 2027.
The Cebu dialogue forms part of a broader series of conversations intended to bring regional and global perspectives into the 2027 conference. ICDE and UPOU noted that insights generated through the Cebu and Manila dialogues will help shape discussions for the World Conference.
The 31st ICDE World Conference will be held in Cebu City on November 15–19, 2027, hosted by UPOU. The conference will focus on how education systems can become more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable, with discussions covering flexible learning pathways, emerging technologies, credentials and the future of work, and education governance.
The program concluded with closing remarks from Dr. Aurora Lacaste, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs of UPOU, and was facilitated by Asst. Prof. Lorena Jean Saludadez.
Learn more about ICDE 2027 here: https://registration.floq.live/icde-2027.