Thirty-one higher education leaders from six countries completed the 7th Leadership Development Program for Higher Education Institutions in Southeast Asia (LDP-HEIs in SEA). The three-month hybrid training program ran from 23 September to 18 November 2025, with five online sessions via Zoom and a three-day onsite session at IPB University in Bogor, Indonesia.
Highlights of the Closing Program on 18 November included the presentation of the Top 12 Re-Entry Action Plans (REAPs), awarding of the Best REAPs, and awarding of certificates of completion.
After the presentation of the Top 12 REAPs, five were selected as the Best REAPs. The awardees were Dr. Jesson Butcon of Caraga State University, Philippines; Dr. Juan Moshe Duyan of Kalinga State University, Philippines; Dr. Artemio Martin Jr. and Dr. Emerson Barcellano of Isabela State University; Dr. Issaree Supnui of Kasetsart University, Thailand; and Dr. Zulnaidi bin Yaacob of Universiti Sains Malaysia. Their REAPs focused on topics such as One Health, academic indigenization, internationalization, open and distance learning, curriculum and research capacity improvement, and product development.
The 31 graduates of the training program came from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. They are composed of deputy heads, program coordinators, associate/assistant/vice deans, deans, directors, administrators, and vice presidents.
Dr. Nova Ramos, Head of SEARCA's Training for Development Unit, reminded them that as graduates of the 7th LDP-HEIs in SEA, they carry with them not only new knowledge and tools but also the responsibility to translate these into meaningful action.
"The impact of this program will be measured not by the certificates that you earned, but by the changes that you champion, the teams you empower, and the systems you transform when you return to your respective universities," she added.
Sharing their learnings and personal reflections, Dr. Winitra Leelapattana, Associate Dean at the International College of Maejo University in Thailand, said, "Participating in this leadership development program has been one of the most meaningful and transformative experiences in my professional journey. It allowed me to deeply reflect on my leadership role, learn from outstanding academic leaders, and strengthen my vision for institutional development and international collaboration."
Dr. Siti Sahmsiah binti Sahmat, Senior Lecturer and Coordinator at the Faculty of Plantation and Agrotechnology of Universiti Teknologi MARA in Malaysia, shared, "I felt a genuine shift in how I view myself before and after joining this program, both as an academic and as a new leader. The biggest change for me was realizing the importance of leading with clarity and purpose. I also learned that leadership is not just a title but a continuous process of self-reflection and growth throughout one's career journey."
Atty. Rushid Jay Sancon, Vice President for Academic Affairs at the Laguna State Polytechnic University in the Philippines, expressed that "over the past weeks, the site visits at IPB University in Indonesia and the online classes have shaped our understanding of leadership, both as a personal responsibility and as a development mission for higher education. Personally, the program challenged us to reflect deeply on the concept of leadership as a process of creating value, not merely performing our roles as administrators in our institutions. Moreover, the diversity of participants taught us that working together is not just a strategic advantage, it is what makes us human."
Meanwhile, Ms. Michelle Leong, Senior Manager of Capacity Building Programs at The HEAD Foundation, encouraged the participants to share their leadership journeys, key takeaways, and REAP progress with their colleagues and institutions. She emphasized that the LDP-HEIs in SEA was designed to help them transfer their learnings not only to their universities but also to their communities.
"In this program, we focused on preparing participants to be future-ready, so that they are able to anticipate change, adapt, and lead with intention," she said.
Dr. Eva Anggraini, Director of Global Connectivity at IPB University in Indonesia, told the participants, "Despite the short three-day visit at IPB University, I hope you gained valuable experiences, new ideas, and potential collaborations that will inspire continued partnership among participants and universities in the future."
In his message to the HEI leaders, Dr. N Varaprasad congratulated them for successfully completing the 7th LDP-HEIs in SEA, and reminded them not to be afraid to take calculated risks, to keep track of future trends and technologies, to look outside for partners and resources, and to keep their momentum going.
"From our interactions, as well as from the REAPs you have presented, I can see that all of you are on your way to becoming true leaders who will drive change and shape the future," he added.
Varaprasad served as LDP-HEIs in SEA program faculty and REAP coach along with Dr. Calvin Chan and Dr. Rebekah Lim. Varaprasad is the Program Director of the 7th LDP-HEIs in SEA and the former Deputy President of the National University of Singapore. Chan is the Assistant Provost for Curricula and Student Matters at the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), while Lim is the Deputy Dean of the College of Interdisciplinary and Experiential Learning at SUSS.
Co-organized by SEARCA, The HEAD Foundation, and IPB University, the 7th LDP-HEIs in SEA aimed to build the capacity of Southeast Asian HEI leaders with the relevant skills and knowledge needed to effectively lead thriving and resilient universities in the region.