The Speakers

Dr. Benjamina Paula G. Flor is a distinguished academic and leader in the field of communication and education. She serves as a Professor at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) College of Development Communication, where her work bridges both research and practice in communication for development. Currently, she is the program chairperson of the Master of Development Communication at the Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS) at the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU). Her leadership in this capacity has guided the program’s continuous advancement, preparing graduates to excel in the dynamic landscape of development communication.

Dr. Flor is also recognized for her scientific contributions, having been conferred the prestigious UP Scientist I rank under the University of the Philippines Scientific Productivity System (SPS) for the years 2022-2024, a testament to her impactful research and academic achievements.

In her role as the head of the Erasmus Micro-Credentialing Project at the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), Dr. Flor has spearheaded initiatives to promote micro-credentialing across ASEAN universities. Through this project, she aims to establish frameworks and strategies that enable institutions to adopt micro-credentials in alignment with international standards and collaborative agreements. Her work in this area is helping to shape the future of higher education in the ASEAN region, making it more accessible, flexible, and responsive to the needs of diverse learners.

Audentes Technologies is a specialized group that focuses on providing micro-credentialing services to organizations and individuals. They design and manage tailored credentialing programs that validate specific skills and knowledge areas through short, focused courses or assessments. Their offerings include digital badging, which allows learners to showcase their achievements online, and integration with learning management systems to ensure seamless delivery and tracking of credentials.

In addition to developing micro-credentials, Audentes Technologies offers consulting services to help organizations identify skills gaps and create targeted programs to address them. Their approach emphasizes personalized and just-in-time learning, supporting continuous professional development and helping individuals and organizations stay competitive in a rapidly evolving job market.

a highly respected leader in education policy and internationalization, with over three decades of experience in shaping both local and global educational landscapes. She was recently appointed as Commissioner of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in April 2024, bringing her wealth of expertise to this pivotal role. Dr. Valenzuela holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Management from De La Salle University, a Master of Arts in Education from Philippine Normal University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education from Divine Word College of Calapan. Her deep academic background is complemented by her extensive experience in educational leadership and reform.

Before her appointment at CHED, Dr. Valenzuela served in several key roles, including as Director of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Secretariat—the first woman to hold this prestigious position. She also served as Deputy Director for Programme and Development at SEAMEO and led the Educational Research and Innovation Office of SEAMEO INNOTECH for nearly a decade. Her leadership extended to the Commission on Higher Education Philippines, where she played an instrumental role in academic mobility, transnational education, and scholarship programs as Director IV of the Office of Student Services and Director III at the International Affairs Services.

Dr. Valenzuela’s expertise in the internationalization of higher education and transnational education has positioned her as a key figure in regional and global educational initiatives. She has worked with international organizations such as UNESCO, UNICEF, and USAID, contributing to various research projects, technical reports, and toolkits aimed at improving education standards across Southeast Asia. Her notable works include the Philippine Higher Education Guide, K to 12 Toolkit, and the Southeast Asian Teaching Standards. Her research and policy work have been recognized globally, and she has