OLFU hosts PACU 8th LAMP Summit, advances human-centered AI transformation in Philippine higher education

More than 200 presidents, academic leaders, and administrators from member universities of the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities (PACU) convened on 19 November 2025 at the Our Lady of Fatima University (OLFU) RISE Tower in Valenzuela City for the 8th LAMP Summit, which centered on redesigning Philippine education through responsible and innovative AI integration.

Guided by the theme “Redesigning Education Through AI Integration,” the forum underscored the rising urgency for institutions to embrace AI in teaching, leadership, governance, and institutional transformation.

The Summit was led by the PACU Committee on Institutional Quality Improvement, chaired by OLFU President Dr. Caroline Marian Enriquez, in collaboration with OLFU and the Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC), with the support of partners including D2L, Parchment by Instructure, C&E Adaptive Learning Solutions, and ClaaS2Saas.

Human potential, not technology, at the center

Opening formal proceedings after the invocation and national anthem, Dr. Enriquez emphasized that AI must serve as a strategic partner rather than a replacement for educators. 

“We have to consider AI as our ally—not the main cast, but an ally that will support us because we can use the data on each learner’s needs, interests, and goals,” she remarked, adding that the Summit is not merely about emerging technologies but “about human potential and harnessing the potential of learners and educators.”

PACU: Responsible innovation is now a leadership imperative

In his opening remarks, PACU President Marco Alfredo Benitez stressed that the rise of AI is fundamentally reshaping teaching, learning, and operations. He noted that the shift presents immense potential for innovation but demands accountable and ethical governance, adding that PACU's approach remains rooted in “collaboration, quality, and responsiveness” as its guiding values.

Nearly 200 leaders united for a common objective

PACU Executive Director Joyce Anne Samaniego delivered the acknowledgment of participants, recognizing the turnout of almost 200 leaders from diverse member institutions. She emphasized the shared challenge to uplift the competitiveness and employability of Filipino graduates aligned with national development.

“Our collective challenge is clear: how do we elevate the qualifications and career prospects of Filipino graduates in ways that drive broad-based, inclusive economic growth?” she asked, adding that through a growing and active Community of Practice in AI, “we become part of the solution.”

Keynote 1: AI landscape in education

The first major learning session featured Chor Meng Tan, Senior Director of Wiley Asia, who delivered a comprehensive review of global and national trends in AI in higher education. 

His session also included an interactive Q&A where he recommended that institutions must assume that students already use AI in some capacity and therefore must rethink curriculum and assessment frameworks to meet this new reality.

“You should also assume… that students are already using AI… which is why revamping the curricula and the assessment is more critical now than ever,” he noted.

Panel Discussion 1: Cross-disciplinary innovation and readiness

The first panel, Practice-Based Innovators: AI Use Cases and Opportunities in Various Fields, showcased insights from two leaders:

• Dr. Michael Joseph Diño, Director for Research, Development, and Innovation Center of OLFU, presented Hybrid Artificial Intelligence for the Health Sciences: Theories, Tools, and Tricks.
• Dr. Marloun Sejera, Chief AI Integration Officer of Mapúa University, discussed technology use cases across science, engineering, and IT.

Dr. Diño highlighted the balance between care and technology, asserting that while “no robot can replace a good healthcare provider,” highly capable technology can “replace a bad one.” 

He urged that Filipino AI models and systems must be developed using localized data to ensure relevance and reliability, and added that educators must excel not only in teaching and communication but also in ethics and professional character.

Keynote 2 and 3: Strengthening academic delivery and reimagining curriculum

Following a brief health break, the summit continued with two major keynote addresses.

Dr. Aileen Wanli Lam, Senior Lecturer and Resident Fellow of the National University of Singapore, detailed practical implementation strategies for introducing AI tools in authentic educational practice. Her session provided framework-level guidance for institutional use and policy grounding.

This was followed by Prof. Vicente Antonio Pijano III, Chancellor and COO of the Philippine Women’s College of Davao, discussing how curriculum must evolve through synchronized industry collaboration. 

He asserted that AI instruction must begin much earlier in the learning journey: “To create a holistic approach to education, exposure to AI must start in Basic Education. If we do it only in higher education, that’s too late.” He later served as the program’s concluding speaker.

Keynote 4: AI in education business

After the lunch break, the afternoon resumed with a session by AI Strategist and Thought Leader Adrian Chin, who spoke on how AI impacts the education business.

“AI will not replace universities. AI will replace universities that refuse to evolve. The future belongs to institutions that act now,” he emphasized.

Panel Discussion 2: Institutional readiness for AI integration

The second panel tackled how schools and communities can realistically measure and improve readiness:

Dr. Eufrecina Jean D. Ramirez, Head of the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching of Centro Escolar University, discussed readiness assessment frameworks.

Roberto Paolo T. Sangil, Community Engagement Officer of Cyberguardians PH, explored capacity-building for AI-ready schools and communities.

Collaborative workshops and sector-based breakout sessions

Participants were then organized into themed focus groups for a 90-minute collaborative workshop on AI-driven challenges, solutions, and opportunities. 

Sessions were facilitated by respected academics from multiple PACU member institutions across diverse fields, including business, tourism, health sciences, IT, humanities, and social sciences.

Following the group sharing, highlights were delivered by Dr. Michael Diño before participants completed the evaluation and appreciation ceremonies.

PACU commends OLFU as host institution

Before the program concluded, PACU formally presented OLFU with a Plaque of Appreciation for hosting the 8th LAMP Summit, recognizing the University’s sustained support for PACU initiatives and its leadership in advancing AI-driven transformation in Philippine higher education. 

Prof. Pijano brought the event to a close with his final reflections and the next steps forward.

Human-centered AI direction for higher education

Throughout the Summit, speakers and discussants agreed that AI is no longer an optional enhancement but a strategic imperative. 

The PACU 8th LAMP Summit stands as a milestone gathering, signaling a collective move toward an academically sound, ethical, and human-centered AI direction for Philippine higher education.

With strong institutional participation and cross-sector collaboration, PACU, its Committee on Institutional Quality Improvement, and its member institutions appear on course toward establishing a unified AI roadmap for educational transformation, ensuring that Filipino learners and educators are ready not only for the future of education but the future of work.