06 October 2025
The Workability Asia Conference 2025 opened on September 22 at Novotel Manila Araneta City, hosted by De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. Over 300 delegates from 13 countries gathered to advance inclusive employment and education across Asia.
In his welcome remarks, Benilde President Br. Edmundo Fernandez FSC emphasized that inclusion is not just about systems and policies, but about people. “It is about faces, names, and the stories we all share with each other,” he said, reminding delegates that real change begins with connection. He described the conference as a space to “listen, to learn from each other, not just from research, but from lived experience,” and affirmed that Workability Asia’s mission aligns with Benilde’s own: creating spaces for dialogue and building bridges across communities. He also recognized the tireless work of Benilde’s School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (SDEAS), which led the conference hosting. “The School has long been at the forefront of inclusive education in the country,” he said, “advancing opportunities for the Deaf community and demonstrating how access and equity can be made real.” Brother Dodo closed by inviting participants to “connect, to challenge, and to dream boldly,” encouraging them to carry the conversations forward into their own schools, organizations, and communities.
Keynote sessions featured global leaders in disability inclusion. Susan Scott-Parker, OBE HonD, shared strategies for building inclusive workplaces, drawing from her work with Business Disability International and Zero Project. Dipesh Sutariya, Chairperson of Workability Asia, offered a regional perspective on employment pathways and the role of cross-sector collaboration in dismantling systemic barriers.
Breakout tracks explored inclusive recruitment, entrepreneurship, and assistive technology. Abstract presenters shared grounded research on legal frameworks, workplace bias, and community-based solutions. Government agencies, private companies, and civil society groups joined BizTalks and panel discussions to map out actionable strategies for inclusive employment. The event closed with a symbolic turnover to Japan, reinforcing a shared commitment to regional progress. Delegates left with renewed momentum, strengthened partnerships, and a clearer view of what inclusion can look like when it’s built into systems, not just celebrated in statements.
Benilde’s leadership in inclusive education is rooted in years of community-driven advocacy. Through its School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (SDEAS), the College has developed programs that equip Deaf learners with the tools to succeed academically and professionally. A recent partnership with the Department of Education supports inclusive curriculum development and teacher training for public schools, while the DO-ACT project with USAID helped shape national policy and workplace practices by centering the lived experiences of persons with disabilities.
Regionally, Benilde continues to build partnerships that promote inclusive design and knowledge exchange. One such collaboration with a Japanese university has explored faculty development and cross-cultural learning, while other international linkages support research, mobility programs, and shared advocacy. In 2024, Benilde was recognized as the country’s top institution for reduced inequalities in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, showing how its commitment to equity and access continues to shape culture, programs, and partnerships at every level.
Benilde hosted Workability Asia 2025 as part of its continuing commitment to inclusive education and employment. The College continues to build systems that create opportunities and shift perspectives on campuses, in workplaces, and across communities.
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