November 18, 2025 | FGB Hall – The University of Baguio, led by the Linkages Office, once again marked another significant milestone in progressive education with the recently concluded AI-Ready ASEAN: Launch and Orientation program. Aligned with the ASEAN Youth AI Literacy Champions program, the event aimed to facilitate open discussions about the capabilities and capacity of artificial intelligence, the ethics of AI-use, and their application in education, not just within Baguio City, but in Southeast Asia as a whole.
This program was held in partnership with the ASEAN Youth Organization (AYO), which has continued to play an active role in pushing for AI literacy within Southeast Asian communities. Over the last few years, they have facilitated the training of hundreds of AI-literate master trainers through their accessible online modules and one-on-one instruction. These Master Trainers have, in turn, taught AI classes in their respective schools and to their respective communities through outreach.
In order to practically illustrate and explain what the AYO and the AI-Ready ASEAN program intend to accomplish, the university invited Ms. Marianne Basoyang (Program Chair, BA Political Science – STELA) and Ms. Cherrie Almazan (Program Chair, BS Computer Science and Associate in Computer Technology – SIT) to explain the process from training to execution. As recognized Master Trainers themselves, they were able to impart crucial information on the inner workings of the process of actually becoming a Master Trainer and how to properly make use of the supporting website, Code.org.
After the conclusion of the seminar portion, the event then moved into the ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the University of Baguio and the AYO. By formalizing this partnership, the university solidifies its commitment and determination to contribute 8,000 beneficiaries to the greater goal of the ASEAN Foundation.
UB is keen on ensuring that students at every level have access to emerging technology that can help them keep up with an increasingly digitized world. This ensures that they can approach learning with ease, developing the necessary confidence and skills needed to become highly competent and adaptive individuals. Through initiatives like this, UB and its different partner institutions are able to equip learners with both technical competencies and ethical foundations, empowering responsible and future-ready youth leaders who can contribute meaningfully to the community both locally and globally.
This program is not only essential to the university’s institutional mission and vision, but it also serves as a platform for pursuing the Sustainable Development Goals. It addresses SDG No. 4: Quality Education by developing and integrating AI literacy programs that elevate the learning experience and better prepare students to properly and ethically use new technology for a rapidly-evolving global community.
It also addresses SDG No. 17: Partnerships for the Goals by aligning the efforts of the university with international organizations that can elevate its reach and provide a wider range of resources towards a shared goal. As UB continues to develop its global presence, it aims to continue supporting initiatives like AI-Ready ASEAN alongside organizations such as the AYO, reinforcing its dedication to building sustainable and socially responsive learning environments that cater to the needs and standards of the international community.
By the end of the program, the participants came away with a fresh perspective on artificial intelligence and how it could be utilized as an educational tool. They gained a clearer understanding of its potential to enhance learning, streamline tasks, and allow for a more automated approach to problem-solving.
As the University of Baguio continues to evolve as an academic institution, it aims to continue nurturing excellence and top-notch learning by making new and emerging technology accessible. Through the integration of digital literacy and ethical innovation into its learning tools, it reaffirms that UB is a world-class academic institution that is prepared to adapt to a rapidly changing world.
