Cultivating excellence, Chiara Alexie Angela C. Ylagan, a 3rd-year BS Customs Administration student from LPU-Batangas, was selected to represent the Philippines at the Summer Intensive Workshop of Asian International Mobility for Students (AIMS) from August 1 to 8 at the Hiroshima University in Japan. With the theme “Future of Higher Learning from Student Perspectives,“ this workshop brings together students from across Asia to engage in meaningful discussions, workshops, and collaborative projects that explore the evolving landscape of education.
Ylagan went through a rigorous series of screenings before she emerged as one of the top candidates along with three other Filipino delegates. A total of 22 delegates from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines attended the event, including undergraduate and graduate students, and professors. The participants were awarded a scholarship amounting to 80,000 Japanese Yen, generously provided by the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO).
The workshop aims to help students form a strong network with peers, understand different cultures, and increase mutual understanding which also focuses on enhancing communication skills, cross-cultural adaptability, problem-solving abilities, teamwork, leadership in bringing diverse people together, a sense of ethics, holistic development, and fostering a greater understanding of international education.
As highlights of the summer program, the delegates discussed various crucial subjects, covering modern education and society. Along with that, they visited the Naka Incineration Plant to gain insights into environmental sustainability and higher education implications. The incineration plant is part of the “Hiroshima 2045: City of Peace & Creativity Project,” designed to build an “inspirational cityscape.”
Furthermore, the delegation’s efforts began with identifying the primary focus and envisioning the state of higher education in ten years. Ylagan’s team, together with delegates from Royal University of Law and Economics in Cambodia and Universiti Teknologi in Malaysia, concentrated on integrating augmented reality (AR) into student learning, which they named “AREdU.” The fundamental idea involves integrating an AR application into university education to transform the learning experience and equip students for the future workforce. This entailed outlining the necessary manpower, focusing on implementation in the Asian context, highlighting the significance and benefits of AR, detailing the implementation process, estimating the cost, and emphasizing the contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The project’s objective is to provide immersive learning experiences, promote practical skill development, and contribute to sustainable development through innovation and collaboration.
The last day of the program is dedicated to the participants’ final presentations, where they will showcase their collaborative projects and the insights they have gained throughout the program. This culminating event allows students to present their innovative ideas. These presentations will not only reflect their understanding of the program’s theme but also demonstrate their ability to apply what they have learned to real-world challenges. It is an opportunity for delegates to receive feedback from experts, celebrate their achievements, and solidify the networks they have built during the workshop.
Ylagan’s journey is a reflection of the potential within each student to drive change and inspire others. The knowledge and friendships forged during this program will undoubtedly influence their paths forward, as they work towards a brighter, more inclusive future in higher education.
