Pasig, Philippines — A meaningful conversation on the future of education, innovation, and public value took place as Pasig City welcomed Mayor Vico Sotto, Benoit-Antoine Bacon, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of British Columbia, together with Mr. Mark L. Yu, Chief Financial Officer of SEAOIL Philippines and UBC alumnus who facilitated the engagement, UBC Associate Vice-President Hillary Gosselin, and Assistant Director for Global Partner Engagement and Strategy, Dr. Haochen Li. Mayor Sotto was joined by Pasig City Administrator Atty. Jeron U. Manzanero and PLP President Dr. Reggie M. Maningas in welcoming President Bacon.

The meeting explored possibilities for a future partnership anchored not simply on international exchange, but on a broader idea: how a globally engaged university, local government, industry, and a public university can co-create pathways for education and innovation that generate public value and strengthen communities.

Among the ideas discussed were opportunities for collaborative learning, capability building, innovation ecosystems, research with public relevance, and pathways that may create future opportunities for faculty and student engagement and exchange.

Guided by a spirit of openness and shared purpose, the meeting concluded with a mutual readiness among the parties to continue exploring areas of collaboration and to further develop ideas into initiatives that may expand opportunity, strengthen institutions, and connect global learning with local possibility.

As reflected in the discussions: the most meaningful outcome is not simply that a few students may cross borders—but that more students, more families, and more communities begin to believe that greater possibilities are within reach.