July 1, 2026 — A meaningful conversation on the future of education, innovation, and public value took place as City of Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto welcomed Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon, president and vice-chancellor of the University of British Columbia (UBC), during a recent visit to the eastern Metro Manila city.
Joining Bacon were Mark L. Yu, Chief Financial Officer of SEAOIL Philippines and a UBC alumnus who facilitated the engagement, UBC associate vice-president Hillary Gosselin, and Dr. Haochen Li, assistant director for global partner engagement and strategy.
Sotto was joined by Pasig City administrator Atty. Jeron U. Manzanero and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasig (PLP) president Dr. Reggie M. Maningas in welcoming the UBC delegation.
According to the PLP Facebook post, the meeting explored possibilities for future collaboration anchored not only on international exchange, but also on how a globally engaged university, local government, industry, and a public university can work together to support education, innovation, and public value.
Among the topics discussed were collaborative learning opportunities, capability building, innovation ecosystems, research with public relevance, and potential pathways for future faculty and student engagement and exchange.
The meeting concluded with a shared interest in continuing discussions and exploring areas of collaboration that may expand opportunities, strengthen institutions, and connect global learning with local communities.
As reflected in the PLP statement, the most meaningful outcome may not simply be that students cross borders, but that more students, families, and communities begin to see greater possibilities within reach.
Emmy Buccat is a Filipino Canadian writer and nonprofit professional advancing philanthropy in higher education in Canada, with a focus on equity and inclusion. In From the Thresholds, she writes reflective, analytic essays exploring Filipino culture, traditions, and community through the lens of first-generation immigrant life in Canada. The series lingers with questions and traces how our everyday lives unfold within the systems Filipino Canadians move through.
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