The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
Rivals on the basketball court but allies in nation-building, the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM), Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU), and De La Salle University (DLSU) have joined forces to strengthen healthcare and health education across Southeast Asia.
In a news release on Thursday, UPM said the three universities—each holding identical 4-3 standings in the first round of UAAP Season 88—momentarily set aside their on-court rivalry to sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the upcoming 10th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) University Network (AUN) International Advisory Committee Meeting and the 4th International Health Promotion Conference on November 27 to 28.
DLSU President Br. Bernard Oca, FSC described the collaboration as a “milestone” that embodies the Lasallian mission of improving lives through education.
“We hope that through our collective efforts, we will journey closer to realizing true, accessible universal health care for our people, especially the poor and the marginalized,” Oca said.
UP President Angelo Jimenez called the initiative “a beacon of hope” that unites the brightest minds in health and higher education across ASEAN. He acknowledged that while the pandemic revealed the country’s healthcare gaps, many of those challenges remain.
“Only 200 of the 600 DOH-built health centers are functional, and we continue to face shortages of doctors and nurses,” Jimenez noted. “Innovation alone is not enough. Real transformation demands accountability, collaboration, and compassion—so that healthcare and well-being can reach even the farthest and most underprivileged in our society.”
He added that while the three universities may compete fiercely in the UAAP, they are united by a shared goal of uplifting Filipino communities through education and service.
For Ateneo President Fr. Roberto Yap, S.J., the partnership highlights how higher education institutions can drive sustainable health systems through collaboration, innovation, and research.
“Our goal for this conference is to convene representatives from ASEAN University Network member universities to foster collaboration, share expertise, and exchange best practices,” Yap said. “With a single purpose and clear direction, we will be able to shape the AUN-HPN work plan that promotes healthier and more sustainable universities across ASEAN.”
The MOA signing was initiated by UP Manila Chancellor Michael Tee, as UP Manila continues to lead in medical and public health education in the Philippines.
The twin events in November will be held at Conrad Manila in Pasay City under the theme “Advancing Health Promotion in the ASEAN Region: Championing University Innovations for Equity and Resilience.”
The conferences are expected to gather representatives from ASEAN universities to share innovations and best practices in promoting health equity and resilience throughout the region.