APRU - Association of Pacific Rim Universities

Thank You, Boracay

As we reflect on the APRU Indigenous Knowledges Workshop 2026 we soak in our shared conversations, ideas, and time, learning not only from each other, but from the people and place that shaped this experience.

Boracay is widely known for tourism, but it’s also a place where questions around development, environment, and culture continue to unfold. Being here made those conversations more real, especially as we reflected on how knowledge rooted in land and sea connects to our lives.

We’re especially grateful to the Boracay Ati community, whose history on the island goes back long before tourism. Thank you for welcoming us and sharing your time and stories with us. Thank you to the University of the Philippines and the APRU Indigenous Knowledges and First Nations Network for their leadership and dedication to advancing our shared knowledge, deepening connections among researchers, and enhancing teaching programs in Indigenous and First Nations studies.

To everyone who joined the workshop—thank you for your time, your presence, and the contributions you shared.

Welcome to the APRU Indigenous Knowledges Workshop 2026

The APRU Indigenous Knowledges Workshop 2026 has begun in Boracay and hosted by the University of the Philippines from June 16 to 20. This week brings together participants from across the Asia-Pacific—university leaders, scholars, and Indigenous knowledges leaders and experts—to share perspectives and learn from one another.

The workshop begins with a focus on place—on the land, the sea, and the communities who have long cared for them. Thank you to the Boracay Ati community for their warm welcome.

Learn more about the workshop: https://www.apru.org/news/pathways-to-resilience-innovation-indigenous-knowledges-workshop-2026/

[APRU Annual Report 2026 now available]

We’re pleased to share the APRU Annual Report 2026, marking APRU’s 30th year under the theme “Building an Alliance for Tomorrow.”

The report highlights our collective impact over the past year—from advancing collaboration across AI, sustainability, global health, and biodiversity, to empowering student leaders and strengthening trust across the Pacific Rim university network.

👉 Read the full report here: https://apru2026.my.canva.site/apruannualreport2026

Thank you to our members, partners, and colleagues for your leadership, collaboration, and commitment to shaping higher education’s role in addressing global challenges.

[🚀Register your Team by July 1 to join 2026 Data, AI & Policy APAC Hackathon]

The award-winning APRU Tech Policy Hackathon returns in November 2026—bigger and more impactful!

The “2026 Data, AI & Policy APAC Hackathon: Financial Health Frontiers,” challenges you to design solutions that improve the financial health of underserved communities across the Asia-Pacific region. Selected teams will advance through a capacity-building journey and compete in the final in Manila.

What’s in it for you?
-🏆Cash prize for the winning team
-✈️Travel grants for finalists (flights + accommodation)
-🤝Real-world experience with financial service providers
-🎓Mentorship and curated learning resources
-🌏Global visibility

Deadline: July 1, 2026

Final hackathon: Manila, Philippines
Dates: November 4–6, 2026

The hackathon is organized by APRU, DataDotOrg, Cognizant, NUS FinTech Lab, and hosted at the Asian Institute of Management, Manila.

Learn more and apply:
https://www.apru.org/event/2026-hackathon-financial-health-frontiers/

[The 19th APRU Global Health Conference 2026 is calling for abstracts]

Hosted by The Chinese University from Hong Kong, the conference will take place on December 7 to 9 at the CUHK campus in Hong Kong.

Abstracts submission are invited for Oral or Poster Presentations, aligned with the Conference theme “Resilience and Adaptation: Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Global Health in a Changing World” and under the following six sub-themes:
1. Primary Care and Health Systems
2. One Health
3. Digital Health Transformation
4. Health Equity and Ethics
5. Global Collaboration and Governance
6. Global Mental and Behavioral Health

Submission Deadline: July 31, 2026

All submitted abstracts will be reviewed by the Conference Scientific Committee.

For detailed information on submission guidelines, abstract formatting and selection criteria:

https://www.apru.org/event/the-19th-apru-global-health-conference-2026/

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[The 9th Annual APRU Sustainable Cities and Landscapes Conference Held at Shanghai Jiao Tong University]

From May 21–24, 2026, the 9th Annual APRU Sustainable Cities and Landscapes (SCL) Conference was held at the School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU).

Hosted by SJTU and organized by the International Cooperation and Exchange Department and the School of Design, with support from the Chinese Society of Landscape Architecture (CHSLA), the conference centered on the theme “Evolutionary Cities and Landscapes at the Pacific Rim.”

The program included five thematic parallel forums, eight working groups, and four student symposiums, bringing together more than 200 academic experts, industry leaders, government representatives, and community participants. Discussions explored new approaches to urban and landscape transformation, with an emphasis on collaboration and sustainable development across the Pacific Rim.

More: https://lnkd.in/g3Pv87EY

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