As generative AI and emerging technologies transform how students learn, universities are leveraging these innovations to deepen student engagement and personalise learning, as well as exploring the responsible use of such tools to enhance educational outcomes. These were amongst the topics examined at the 5th AUN Thematic Network on Technology-enhanced Personalised Learning (AUN-TEPL) Symposium held on 2 October 2025. Themed “Student Engagement and Technology-Enhanced Personalised Learning”, the event was hosted by the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) in Manila.
As Chair of the AUN-TEPL Thematic Network, Singapore Management University (SMU) led the Symposium discussions, which brought together more than 100 educators and researchers from ASEAN. Jointly organised by UPD in collaboration with joint leads Mahidol University (MU), Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) and Universiti Malaya (UM), the event underscored the region’s collective commitment towards advancing TEPL across ASEAN.
In his welcome address, Atty. Angelo A. Jimenez, President of the University of the Philippine sunderscored the university’s commitment to inclusive and future-ready education. Describing the future of learning as one that requires both innovation and reflection, he shared his vision of a collaborative ASEAN learning ecosystem that co-creates solutions tailored to local needs.
- This involves addressing three urgent challenges:
- Closing the digital divide to ensure equitable access.
- Building trust through strong data privacy and security standards.
Ensuring cultural sensitivity so that adaptive systems reflect Asia’s linguistic and educational diversity.
One of the key highlights of the symposium was the unveiling of the Online Course Exchange Initiative, jointly led by SMU and Universiti Malaya. The new platform opened access for students across ASEAN to take and transfer credits for online courses offered by AUN-TEPL member universities.
AUN Executive Director, Associate Professor Thanaporn Laiprakobsup, reaffirmed the network’s support for member universities in leveraging technology to enhance learning outcomes and student success. He highlighted that the newly launched AUN-TEPL Online Course Exchange Initiative not only enables students across ASEAN to access approved online courses offered by participating universities and receive credit transfer recognition at their home institutions, but also supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) by promoting flexible, cross-border, and lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Professor Dragan Gašević, a leading expert in learning analytics from Monash University, delivered the keynote address, “Generative AI in Education: Between Promise and Evidence.” He examined how GenAI is transforming teaching and learning, sharing emerging research on its potential to improve educational practice. At the same time, he cautioned against overreliance on AI, highlighting the need to preserve learner agency, uphold assessment integrity, and strengthen evidence-based approaches to build future-ready skills.
Dr. Juraidah Hj Musa from UBD, presented the impact of TEPL on lifelong learning, focusing on the pedagogies in designing learning activities for digital literacy, gamified learning, and adaptive feedback.
A panel featuring representatives from AUN-TEPL co-lead universities, including Associate Professor Lo Siaw Ling from SMU’s School of Computing and Information Systems, discussed how technology-enhanced personalised learning (TEPL) is being embedded in higher education. The conversation explored its impact on student engagement, teaching effectiveness, and faculty readiness, with panelists sharing real-world examples of TEPL tools and student feedback that point to improved learning outcomes.
In a first, the AUN-TEPL Symposium featured “The Great Ideas: Student-Driven Technology-Enhanced Personalised Learning Showcase (STEPS)”, an undergraduate competition highlighting innovative ways students integrate technology to personalise their learning experiences. Participants submitted short videos demonstrating creative and effective uses of technology in their educational journeys.
SMU students, Alicia Tan Jia Ying, Grezelda Meredith Harijanto, Kayla Nathania Umarie, Oh Jun En, and Regan Lee Tong En clinched the top prizes at the showcase, with their submissions reflecting students’ commitment to innovation, adaptability, and learner-centred design.
The students’ winning submissions are featured below:
Kaykay’s learning journey with Blooket
AI Study Hacks that actually Worked for Us!
The 5th AUN-TEPL Symposium once again underscored the region’s shared vision of leveraging technology to enrich teaching, empower learners, and expand access to personalised, meaningful education across borders.
View the live recording of the 5th AUN-TEPL Symposium here.
Photo credit: SMU
