MFU Joins the 20th AIMS Annual Review Meeting in the Philippines to Advance Student Competencies and Regional Higher Education Cooperation

Mae Fah Luang University (MFU) participated in the 20^th Annual Review Meeting (ARM) of the Asian International Mobility for Students (AIMS) Programme, held from 14 - 16 October 2026 at Sotogrande Iloilo Hotel in Iloilo City, the Philippines. Co-organised by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), in partnership with the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Centre for Higher Education and Development (SEAMEO RIHED), the meeting took place as part of Iloilo Higher Education Week. It brought together higher education leaders, policymakers, experts, and stakeholders from participating higher education institutions and relevant agencies to exchange experiences, review programme developments, and strengthen regional cooperation in student mobility.

The MFU delegation included Asst. Prof. Dr. Romyen Kosaikanont, Vice President; Asst. Prof. Wantida Homthawornchoo, lecturer in the Food Science and Technology Programme, School of Agro-Industry; and Ms. Warunee Kaewbunruang, AIMS Programme Coordinator, Global Relations Division.

The meeting provided a platform for participating institutions to discuss the implementation of the AIMS Strategic Framework 2026–2028, guided by the Bacolod Strategy: Consolidate and Connect. Discussions focused on strengthening the quality and impact of student mobility, promoting student competency development, and enhancing cooperation among higher education institutions across Southeast and East Asia.

Key topics included the AIMS Talent Development Model and the AIMS Student Experience and Competence Framework, as well as student recruitment and selection, competency development during mobility, assessment, career tracking, alumni networks, student mobility balance, student orientation and support, programme quality, credit transfer, and institutional cooperation.

On 14 October 2026, Asst. Prof. Dr. Romyen Kosaikanont participated as a speaker in the Speaker Insights Session: Connecting and Empowering Learners, held under the Regional Policy Conference on Future-Ready Higher Education. Her contribution highlighted the importance of student mobility in developing global competencies and future-ready skills.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Romyen Kosaikanont emphasised three key competency areas to survive in the polycrisis and a rapid-changing world: Adaptive Self-Mastery and Lifelong Learning; Glocal Citizenry and Regional Synergy; Holistic Well-being and Sustainable Values. These areas reflect the importance of self-awareness —specially in terms of understanding one’s own strengths, skill sets, weakness, and passion —as well as lifelong learning, understanding both local and global contexts, and promoting physical, mental, and emotional well-being. She also underscored responsible technology use and respect for diversity, equity, and inclusion in an increasingly interconnected world. 

Additionally, Asst. Prof. Wantida Homthawornchoo and Ms. Warunee Kaewbunruang presented MFU’s good practices at the session titled: AIMS: Learning in Action – Showcasing Excellence in Outcome-Based Education: Preparing Future-Ready Talents through AIMS Unique Competence. The presentation showcased how MFU integrates the six AIMS Unique Competences into its curriculum and student development ecosystem, aligning them with the university’s 10 Skills + 1 MFU Character framework. This approach connects international mobility with students’ academic learning and personal development, helping them apply their experiences to real-world contexts and prepare for an increasingly interconnected society.

The six AIMS Unique Competences are:
1.    Knowledge of the societies, cultures, and languages of Southeast and East Asia
2.    Ethical and cross-cultural understanding
3.    Sustainability and resilience
4.    Collaborative skills
5.    Diplomatic skills and literacy
6.    Glocalisation

Through this integration, MFU aims to ensure that student mobility goes beyond credit transfer to foster meaningful learning, intercultural understanding, collaboration, and the development of globally minded and socially responsible graduates.

The 20^th AIMS Annual Review Meeting reaffirmed the importance of collaboration among participating institutions in enhancing student mobility and developing graduates equipped with the competencies needed for the future. The exchange of institutional experiences and good practices also provided opportunities to improve programme implementation and strengthen the regional AIMS network.

MFU’s participation reflects its continued commitment to internationalisation, student development, and regional academic cooperation. By connecting international mobility with curriculum development and the broader student experience, the university seeks to create meaningful learning opportunities that prepare students to become globally aware, socially responsible, and environmentally conscious citizens who contribute to a sustainable future.