By Nicole Trisha Panganiban
29 September 2026
De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde participated in the three-day Learning Exchange Program on Designing Gender-Transformative Syllabi, organized by the ASEAN University Network-Gender Justice and Inclusion (AUN-GJI) in partnership with the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Centre for Higher Education and Development (SEAMEO RIHED). Held from August 31 to September 2, 2026, at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand, the program brought together educators, curriculum developers, researchers, and institutional representatives from across Southeast Asia.
As an official member of AUN-GJI, Benilde joined fellow Philippine higher education institutions represented in the learning exchange, including Ateneo de Manila University, Philippine Normal University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, University of the Philippines, and Davao del Norte State College.
Representing Benilde were Ms. Maria Veronica “Nicky” Templo Perez, Vice President for Lasallian Mission and Student Life (LMSL) and GAD Chairperson of the College; Ms. Nicole Trisha F. Panganiban, Institutional GAD Focal Person from the Office of the Vice President for Lasallian Mission and Student Life (OVPLMSL); and Dr. Carlo Jay A. Evardone, Curriculum Specialist of the Center for Faculty Advancement (CFAd). Their participation reflected the College’s collaborative approach to advancing gender-responsive and inclusive education, particularly through Gender and Development (GAD) mainstreaming, curriculum development, and institutional initiatives that promote gender justice and inclusion
The learning exchange moved beyond discussions on gender-transformative education toward practical approaches for integrating gender justice and inclusion into curricula and learning environments. Sessions explored inclusive pedagogies, gender perspectives across disciplines, assessment tools, institutional challenges, and strategies for translating learning into concrete action plans and implementation.
Through learning exchanges and workshops, participants shared institutional experiences and explored approaches to designing and assessing gender-transformative syllabi. The program culminated in the development of sample gender-transformative syllabi and action plans that can support the integration of gender-responsive and inclusive practices across diverse educational contexts.
Benilde’s participation in the AUN-GJI learning exchange strengthens its engagement in regional conversations on gender justice and inclusion in higher education. Through its AUN-GJI membership and continued participation in regional initiatives, the College continues to connect, learn, and contribute to efforts toward more gender-transformative and inclusive educational spaces in ASEAN.
#GADinBenilde #GenderEquality #Inclusion #ASEAN #Empowerment
