27/08/2026
ICYMI: In Photos | UP OIL Brings Together International Partners and the UP Community at HABI 2026
Last 17β18 August 2026, the University of the Philippines (UP) Office of International Linkages (OIL) successfully held HABI: UP Global Mobility and Exchange Fair, a two-day international mobility fair that brought together members of the UP community and representatives from international partner institutions. Held at the Gimenez Gallery and the IBG-KAL Theater, the event showcased opportunities for global learning, academic exchange, international collaboration, and cross-cultural engagement.
The fair provided students and members of the UP community with a space to discover opportunities beyond the classroom, from student exchange programs and international scholarships to academic partnerships and global learning initiatives. More importantly, HABI highlighted how internationalization can make education more interconnected and accessible, allowing students to engage with different cultures, perspectives, and academic communities.
The first day began with a welcome message from UP President Angelo A. Jimenez, who formally opened the two-day event and welcomed students, university representatives, and participating institutions. A ribbon-cutting ceremony followed, officially opening the exhibition area where attendees could visit booths, interact with representatives, and learn more about the opportunities offered by different organizations and partner institutions. The morning continued with information sessions from select partners, including the Asian Development Bank, Study in Taiwan, and Coursera, giving participants an opportunity to learn more about programs and pathways for international education and professional development.
In the afternoon, the plenary session at the IBG-KAL Theater featured discussions on the broader role of international mobility in shaping students and communities. UP President Angelo A. Jimenez delivered the opening remarks, followed by a keynote address from Hon. Philip Jude Avorque Acidre, Chairperson of the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education, who discussed βBridging Borders: Congressional Initiatives to Strengthen Student Mobility and Global Academic Linkages.β Hon. Ma. Josefina βJoyβ Belmonte, Mayor of Quezon City, also delivered a keynote message titled βMobilizing the Future: How Local Government Empowers Students for National and Global Impact.β
Three forum sessions followed, focusing on internationalization and cross-cultural collaboration. Representatives from partner universities, previous OIL Grant recipients, and selected OIL Constituent University (CU) Representatives shared their experiences and insights, offering participants a more grounded perspective on international opportunities and the experiences that come with pursuing them. Day One concluded with a closing synthesis from Guillian M. Mecate, Head of Program Development and Strategy at UP OIL, followed by closing remarks from Lorraine Pe Symaco, UP Vice President for Academic Affairs.
The second day continued with information sessions from various exhibitors and international partner universities, including Monash University, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kochi University, Excelsia University College, Georgian College, SEAMEO INNOTECH, Murdoch University, the Czech Embassy, University of Shizuoka, and Kogakuin University. Participants continued exploring the exhibition booths and engaging with representatives through activities such as the Delegate Passport, which encouraged attendees to visit different booths and learn more about the institutions represented at the fair.
Beyond the exchange of information, these interactions allowed students to gain a glimpse into the cultures, academic environments, and opportunities available in different parts of the world. For many students, the fair also served as an opportunity to ask questions directly to representatives, making international mobility feel more tangible and within reach.
For UP students, access to international opportunities can expand academic perspectives, develop intercultural competence, build professional networks, and encourage students to engage with global issues from a Filipino perspective.
At the same time, partnerships between universities create opportunities for collaborative research, knowledge exchange, and long-term institutional cooperation. HABI also served as a reminder that global mobility should be made more visible and accessible to students. Many international opportunities can feel distant or difficult to navigate, especially for students who have never participated in an exchange program before. By bringing partner institutions, previous exchange participants, and opportunities into one space, the fair helps bridge that gap between knowing that opportunities exist and knowing how to pursue them.
Ultimately, the success of HABI can be measured not only by the number of institutions represented or students who visited the booths, but by the opportunities and partnerships that continue after the fair. By sustaining these connections, UP can help ensure that global mobility becomes not just an opportunity for a select few, but an increasingly accessible part of the university experience.
Through HABI, the UP community was given a space to connect, discover, and look beyond borders. The next step is to turn those connections into lasting collaborations and to empower more students to take part in them.
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