Mahidol University, through the Secretariat Office of the ASEAN University Network – Health Promotion Network (AUN-HPN), Co-organizes the 10th AUN-HPN International Advisory Committee (IAC) Meeting and the 4th International Health Promotion Conference in the Philippines

27–28 November 2025

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On 27–28 November 2025, Mahidol University, through the Secretariat Office of the ASEAN University Network – Health Promotion Network (AUN-HPN), co-organized the 10th AUN-HPN International Advisory Committee (IAC) Meeting and the 4th International Health Promotion Conference in collaboration with three host network universities in the Philippines: the University of the Philippines Manila, Ateneo de Manila University, and De La Salle University. The conference was held under the theme “Advancing Health Promotion in the ASEAN Region: Championing University Innovations for Equity and Resilience.” Prof. Piyamitr Sritara, MD, President of Mahidol University and Chair of the ASEAN University Network – Health Promotion Network (AUN-HPN) International Advisory Committee, assigned Assoc. Associate Prof. Dr. Thunwadee Suksaroj, Director of the ASEAN Institute for Health Development and Executive Director of AUN-HPN , to preside over the opening of the meeting, together with Dr. Michael Tee, Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Manila, the Philippines. The opening ceremony also featured special messages from executives of the Philippine network universities, including Atty. Angelo A. Jimenez, President of the University of the Philippines; Fr. Roberto C. Yap, SJ, President of Ateneo de Manila University; Br. Bernard S. Oca, FSC, President of De La Salle University; Dr. Teodoro Herbosa, Representative of the Department of Health, as well as Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thanaphan Laiprakobsup, Executive Director of the AUN Secretariat. The event also included a keynote address by Dr. Susan Mercado, Public Health Advisor, University of the Philippines Television on the topic “Health Promotion in Universities and Health Challenges in the ASEAN.” The event consisted of two days of activities. The first day featured the 10th International Advisory Committee (IAC) Meeting along with a knowledge-sharing forum on health promotion in universities. This IAC Meeting brought together five Core Member countries of the network, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. In addition, representatives from universities in the ASEAN+3 group also joined as observers, including Osaka University (Japan), Universiti Brunei Darussalam (Brunei), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universidad de Sta. Isabel de Naga Inc. (Philippines), Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), as well as Dr. Prakasit Kayasith, CEO Assistant at Thai Health Promotion Foundation, and representatives from ThaiHealth and various universities in Thailand such as Walailak University, Burapha University, Khon Kaen University, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Naresuan University, and Prince of Songkla University. The meeting also featured a special lecture delivered by Dr. Wiwat Rojanapithayakorn, MD., Advisor to AUN-HPN, on the topic “Overview of Health Promotion in Higher Education in the ASEAN Context.” A panel discussion on “Best Practices for HURS” was also held, with distinguished speakers from universities that have successfully applied the HURS system to enhance health promotion on their campuses, including Prof. Yayi Suryo Prabandari, M.Sc., Ph.D. from Universitas Gadjah Mada (Indonesia); Br. Bernard S. Oca, FSC from De La Salle University (Philippines); Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sarintip Tantanee, Acting President, Naresuan University (Thailand); and Dr. Chinh Nguyen Quoc from Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam). On this occasion, the HURS 2024 Awards were presented to 16 universities in the ASEAN region that achieved ratings of 5-Star Plus, 5-Star, and 4-Star. The awards were presented by Prof. Dr. Chartchalerm Isarankura-Na-Ayudhya, Chair of the Committee on HURS Development and Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, Mahidol University The second day featured “the 4th International Health Promotion Conference,” an international academic forum that provides an opportunity for scholars from various countries to present their work in health promotion, along with keynote presentations addressing critical and emerging health challenges. The 10th AUN-HPN International Advisory Committee (IAC) Meeting serves as an important platform for committee members from ASEAN Health Promotion Network universities to jointly define strategic directions and drive health promotion initiatives within higher education institutions. Held annually, the AUN-HPN currently comprises 60 universities across the ASEAN region. The IAC Meeting is therefore a key mechanism for exchanging ideas and guiding the network’s operations, contributing to the enhancement of quality of life and well-being in the ASEAN community through the role of higher education institutions. This year’s meeting was held at Hilton Manila, Newport World Resorts, the Philippines and was attended by more than 200 participants from eight ASEAN+3 countries.