Filipino students are getting a front-row seat to the future as InnoVision 2026 Campus Series rolls out across the country. Now in its second year, this innovative program—led by Philippine Coding Camp (PCC)—has gathered over 1,000 students and faculty from five universities for an experience that goes beyond the usual classroom setup.
The heart of InnoVision’s mission is simple but ambitious: bridge the gap between what’s taught in school and what’s needed in the real world, especially as technology continues to evolve at breakneck speed. This year’s Campus Series expanded its reach by connecting Filipino learners not just with local industry leaders but also with international experts and top universities across ASEAN.
A major highlight of the initiative is the Generative AI Certification Workshop, created in partnership with the UNESCO Chair on Harnessing Innovations in Technology to Support Teachers and Quality Learning at the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU), Malaysia. Experts from APU flew in to lead hands-on sessions, giving students and educators practical tools to integrate AI into teaching, research, and even entrepreneurship. “A lot of students and lecturers do not have a complete picture of how generative AI can be used correctly,” shared Professor Abtar Darshan Singh, UNESCO Chair at APU. “So we have come up with a framework that allows us to take students and professors in a step-by-step manner in how to capitalize on AI, do research, create meaningful assessments, and also how to become an AI champion.”
Dr. Gabriel Sampedro of Philippine Coding Camp underscored the urgency of equipping students with AI skills. "If you take a look at today’s age, AI is everywhere. Everyone is using it, and if you take a look at the Philippines benchmarking at other countries, we’re a little bit behind, and that’s alarming. This resistance to technology is what’s going to hold us back." He stated that now is the ideal moment to utilize AI effectively and amplify our works.
From left: Dr. Mark Celis - LPU Cavite, Dean Arlene Caballero - LPU Manila, Dr. Gabriel Sampedro - PCC, Prof. Abtar Darshan Singh - UNESCO Chair, APU, Prof. Arun Kumar Sangaiah - National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, Engr. Eliseo Cacalda III - Toyota.
The Campus Series unfolded at five host universities: University of Eastern Pangasinan, Philippine Military Academy, Lyceum of the Philippines University Manila, Marikina Polytechnic College, and Lyceum of the Philippines University Cavite. The program featured keynote talks, interactive AI workshops, and collaboration sessions that opened new doors for Filipino talent across the ASEAN region.
But it’s not just about learning new tech skills. Dr. Mark Celis of LPU Cavite pointed out another crucial lesson: "Regarding the long-term effect of introducing AI in our schools, in the academe we are teaching them the ethical use of AI. It's not just about embracing the technology but how we could be able to leverage the technology in the right way."
Backed by partnerships with academia, government, and industry—including tech companies and professional organizations—InnoVision 2026 is helping the Philippines step up as a leader in ASEAN’s innovation scene. As PCC continues to expand its network, the initiative aims to strengthen micro-credentialing, build stronger industry-academe linkages, and create more global opportunities for Filipino students and educators.
At its core, InnoVision 2026 is about preparing Filipinos to thrive in the digital era—connecting the classroom to the world and championing a generation ready to lead ASEAN’s digital transformation.