The University of Baguio School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts (STELA) joined two regional gatherings on educational preparation: the SEA Teacher Program Evaluation Meeting (11th Cohort) and the Southeast Asia Conference on Pre-Service Teacher Education: Advancing Policy, Research, and Regional Collaboration. Both were held on October 20–21, 2026, at Seda Manila Bay, Parañaque City.
STELA Dean Dr. Antonio D. Mangaliag and Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSEd) Program Chair Dr. Dahlia D. Soriano represented the university.
2026 SEAMEO Initiative: Preparing Teachers’ Competencies for Accreditation
Organized by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Secretariat, the event was co-hosted by the Teacher Education Council (TEC) Philippines and the Philippine Normal University (PNU), with REX Education as a co-organizer. It brought together dedicated academic councils, education ministries, partner institutions, researchers, pre-service practitioners, and SEA alumni from across the region.
During the closed-door evaluation, participants assessed the findings of the 11th batch using a “continue, stop, start” framework to determine successful practices, areas requiring improvement, and necessary next steps. Shifting from evaluation to action, the conference opened with keynote speeches by SEAMEO Secretariat Director Datuk Dr. Habibah Abdul Rahim, CHED Chairperson Dr. Shirley Agrupis, and UNESCO Teacher Task Force representative Ms. Ximena Rubio Vargas. Prominent industry and academic leaders from the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Japan participated in panel discussions. The program also held interactive roundtable workshops on key themes, including practicum innovations, micro-credentials, AI and digital skills, regional research priorities, accreditation standards, and aligning pre-service preparation with in-service professional development.
Alt Text: Dr. Managliag and Dr. Soriano during the 2026 SEAMEO Teacher Program Evaluation Meeting (11th Cohort), held at the Philippine Normal University (PNU)
As for the university’s involvement, the active participation came at an important moment. UB is preparing to send its first batch of pre-service teachers to the Southeast Asian Program, which places student practitioners in cross-border practicums at partner institutions across Southeast Asia. The discussions gave STELA direct insight into the program’s current strengths and challenges. They also clarified expectations for sending institutions and the support bound professionals who need to succeed abroad.
Reflecting on the event, the STELA delegation highlighted the valuable opportunity to engage with and learn alongside international peers. Discussions focused on strengthening teacher preparation programs, enriching the practical learning journey for pre-service educators, and fostering deeper regional partnerships.
Guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs) 4, 8, 16, and 17, the gathering underscored a shared commitment: educating the next generation of teachers requires a collective effort, driven by ongoing professional development and regional collaboration.
STELA will carry these insights into its preparations for the university’s first SEA Teacher cohort and into its broader work of forming competent, globally minded, and future-ready educators.
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Written by: Dr. Antonio D. Mangaliag | Dr. Dahlia D. Soriano
Article enhancement by Gabriel Madriaga
