SU co-hosts 5th Annual Conference of HLU with NORSU, SPUD, and SSC

Silliman University (SU) welcomed all guests and participants to the 5th Annual Conference of the Hanseatic League of Universities (HLU) on July 9, 2025, at the Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium.

Hosted by Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) under the leadership of NORSU President and President-Elect of HLU Dr. Noel Marjon E. Yasi, the HLU Annual Conference gathers member universities and global partners to exchange ideas, inspire innovation, and build enduring collaborations.

Now in its fifth year, the three-day conference’s theme, “Breaking Barriers, Empowering Change,” reiterates its commitment “to explore how universities can thrive as engines of regional development, global cooperation, and sustainable innovation.”

Together with NORSU, the 5th HLU Conference is co-hosted by SU, St. Paul University – Dumaguete (SPUD), and Siquijor State College (SSC).

Dr. Noel Marjon E. Yasi, NORSU president and HLU president-elect, welcomes all participants to the 5th Annual Conference at the Luce Auditorium.

In his welcome address, Yasi honored the origins of the historic Hanseatic League, which has “transcended borders to forge alliances rooted in trust and forward-thinking collaboration.”

“Today, we rekindle that visionary spirit. This time, through a global network of universities united by the pursuit of knowledge, innovation, and mutual growth.”

Underscoring the timeliness of this year’s theme, Yasi challenged educators, researchers, and change-makers not only “to adapt but to lead.”

“Let us reimagine education’s possibilities. Let’s delve into themes such as cross-border research, student mobility, and the evolving influence of technology in crafting inclusive and accessible learning environments,” he added.

Dr. Aldrin A. Darilag, former CHED Commissioner and HLU Board Member, challenged educators to break barriers.

Dr. Aldrin A. Darilag, former CHED Commissioner and HLU Board Member, reflected on the role of educators and educational institutions.

“We break barriers when we challenge outdated systems, when we redefine excellence to include inclusion, when we decolonize knowledge, democratize opportunity, and embrace diversity not as a slogan but as a standard,” Darilag said, emphasizing the definition of this year’s theme.

He explained that empowering change begins with empowering people with “purpose, perspective, and power.”

“It is not enough to innovate for innovation’s sake. As members of the HLU, we must innovate with integrity. We must champion research that solves real-world problems. We must lead in sustainability, digital equity, lifelong learning, and social impact, not only in our own institutions but across borders and disciplines,” he added.

President emeritus Dr. Dong Sung Cho, HLU honorary president and WURI Foundation chair, recalls the history of HLU.

HLU’s Honorary President Dr. Dong Sung Cho, World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI) Foundation chair, recalled the history of HLU, beginning in 2018 on the campus of Hanze University of Applied Sciences in Groningen, Netherlands.

Historically, the Hanseatic League was an alliance of cities in central and northern Europe for “prosperity and protection” of its members.

Cho explained that this league of cities was the most important organization in the world, particularly its global commerce and political activities. At its peak, 199 cities joined the Hansa League and played a very important role.

First plenary speaker Dr. Carl E. Balita (center-right), Dr. Carlo E. Balita Review Center founder, president, and CEO, receives his certificate of appreciation from Drs. Yasi (left), Darilag (center-left), and Cho (right).

“This Hansa University took the kind of tradition of this Hansa League and became the university bearing the name Hansa. Ten university presidents gathered together on the campus of Hansa University, and we decided to have the first conference of this Hansa League of Universities right there,” he explained.

Cho became the second president of HLU, after hosting the conference in Incheon, South Korea in 2019. It was there that they proposed to come up with a self-ranking system, which came to be known as the World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI).

WURI began with 200 universities. Now, it boasts 1,253 university members and is considered one of the major ranking systems in the world.

Second plenary speaker Dr. Dina S. Ocampo (center-right), University of the Philippines (UP) professor, poses with Drs. Yasi (left), Darilag (center-left), and Cho (right).

The program highlighted three plenary sessions in the morning by Dr. Carl E. Balita, Dr. Carlo E. Balita Review Center founder, president, and CEO; Dr. Dina S. Ocampo, University of the Philippines (UP) professor; and Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, CHED chairperson.

In the afternoon, participants proceeded to their respective locations for breakout sessions: SPUD for “Student Support and Engagement”, NORSU for “Student Mobility and Openness” and “Ethics and Integrity”, and SU for “Entrepreneurial Spirit,” which was facilitated by Dr. Dave E. Marcial, Dr. Mariano C. Lao Global Studies Center (GSC) director.

(L-R) Dr. Robert. S. Guino-o II, SU Executive Director for Research, Publication, and Innovation (RPI); Dr. Dong Sung Cho, HLU honorary president; Dr. Noel Marjon E. Yasi, NORSU president and HLU president-elect; and Prof. Kyung Sung Kim, i-STAT president and former president of Seoul National University of Education, pose during lunch at the SU Gymnasium.

The conference will run for three days. On July 10, HLU is set to announce the 2025 WURI Ranking.