GMC Delegates Join 2025 FGS University Presidents’ Forum and Consortium Meeting
News Bulletin #9
By: Katherine Mae Sabate, Regina Angelica Bautista-Verzosa, and Heidi Salih Emelo-Ato
Taiwan — A delegation of 10 representatives from Guang Ming College (GMC) Philippines attended the 2025 FGS University Presidents’ Forum and University Consortium Meeting, held on November 3 to 8, 2025. The event spanned various venues in Taiwan, including Fo Guang University, Nanhua University, and Fo Guang Shan Monastery in Kaohsiung. Originally designed by Venerable Master Hsing Yun to create harmony among universities and scholars, it brought together leaders from the FGS University Consortium to discuss pressing global and educational issues. Meanwhile, the Consortium Meeting strengthened agreements between the consortium stakeholders.
FGS University Presidents’ Forum
Themed “Buddhist Education and Sustainable Development,” the forum was attended by scholars from different countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan, U.S.A, Australia, and the Philippines. The forum opened discussions on the ethical use of Artificial Intelligence, and how Humanistic Buddhist teachings provide ways forward, and surfaced issues on intergenerational relationships, possible tangents for transpersonal psychology and meditation, and questions on the scientific validity of Humanistic Buddhism. Specifically, key panel sessions included: Contemporary Crises and Sustainable Development (Panel I), Challenges and Difficulties of Declining Birthrate and Aging Population (Panel II), Applications and Reflections on Artificial Intelligence (Panel III), and Cross-Domain Trends and International Exchange. During the forum’s culminating activities, GMC was able to sign agreements with Nanhua University and two other colleges from India and Indonesia.
FGS University Consortium Meeting
The FGS University Consortium Meeting provided an important platform for inter-school collaboration and strategic planning. The meeting commenced on November 7, 2025, at the Fo Guang Building, and included a greeting from the Host, Ven. Hsin Bau, and Chancellor Yung, Chaur-Shin.
Each consortium member (Fo Guang University, University of the West, Nanhua University, Nan Tien University, and Guang Ming College) presented updates on their school’s successes and received feedback from the Venerables of the consortium. The presentations and open discussions helped each consortium uncover touchpoints and areas of alignment with the other schools, paving the way for future projects that will further strengthen the continued success of each school.
Reflections from GMC Representatives
The attendance of the GMC delegation reinforced the College’s commitment to academic excellence and international networking as part of the FGS Consortium.
Regina Angelica Bautista-Verzosa, BPA Dance Chair and first-time attendee, shared her observations on the unique challenges and goals of the institution, noting that the “GMC faculty’s first task has been to undo and augment the varying qualities of public school education. Only then can learning proceed towards creative and critical thinking.” She further emphasized the importance of collaboration within the network, stating, “Collaboration between GMC and other consortium universities and partners is important to cultivate meaningful social relations within the network. It is through the GMC network that Humanistic Buddhism can extend to the Philippines.”
Heidi Salih Emelo-Ato, a graduate of GMC, provided a reflection focused on future development: “Twelve years into our journey, GMC recognizes the significant opportunities for growth and refinement as a school. The insights and observations gathered during the Presidents’ Forum and Consortium Meeting are invaluable. We are committed to meticulously applying these learnings to ensure that GMC not only aligns with but excels among our esteemed counterparts within the FGS University Consortium. This trip marks the beginning of intensified institutional studies and the unwavering pursuit of excellence; our dedication to continuous learning will not cease.”
By travelling to the key sites, the forum enabled GMC personnel to understand the larger context whithin which the Fo Guang Shan Consortium exists, and experience the compassion, hospitality, and service unique to FGS, ensuring a renewed sense of courage to academic excellence in the Philippines. Thus, the 2025 Forum and Consortium Meeting proved to be an enriching experience, laying the groundwork for future academic and cultural exchanges under the umbrella of Humanistic Buddhism and sustainable education.