UP Manila College of Allied Medical Professions Strengthens Its Commitment to Service-Learning through Participation in the 2026 IARSCLE APCoP Conference
The UP Manila College of Allied Medical Professions (CAMP) reaffirmed its commitment to advancing service-learning and community engagement through its active participation in the 2026 International Conference of the International Association for Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement Asia-Pacific Community of Practice (IARSCLE APCoP), held on June 15–16, 2026, at the University of the Philippines Diliman.
Centered on the theme “Ethics of Service-Learning and Community Engagement,” the two-day conference gathered educators, researchers, students, community partners, and practitioners from across the world to engage in meaningful discussions on the evolving role of service-learning in higher education. Through keynote lectures, research presentations, panel discussions, workshops, and poster sessions, participants explored innovative approaches to cultivating ethical, reciprocal, and sustainable partnerships between academic institutions and the communities they serve.
Representing CAMP at the conference were Asst. Prof. Rozelle Francesca K. Bentulan, Asst. Prof. Ellyn Cassey K. Chua, Ms. Kizha Marie S. Gabutan, and Assoc. Prof. Yves Y. Palad. Their participation reflects the College’s continuing efforts to strengthen teaching, research, and community engagement through meaningful collaborations that extend beyond the classroom.
In addition to representing CAMP as conference delegates, Asst. Prof. Bentulan served as a member of the conference organizing committee, contributing to the planning and successful implementation of the international gathering. Meanwhile, Asst. Prof. Bentulan and Ms. Kizha Gabutan also served as moderators for the conference’s parallel sessions, facilitating scholarly discussions and the exchange of ideas among presenters and participants. Their contributions underscore CAMP’s active role in supporting regional initiatives that promote excellence in service-learning scholarship and practice.
As part of the conference’s poster presentation sessions, Asst. Prof. Chua and Ms. Gabutan presented their work on a cross-country service-learning collaboration, highlighting the transformative potential of international partnerships in health professions education. Their presentation showcased how collaborative service-learning initiatives can foster intercultural understanding, mutual learning, and shared responsibility among academic institutions and community partners while addressing real-world community needs.
The presentation also emphasized that meaningful service-learning extends beyond providing community services. Instead, it involves cultivating reciprocal relationships where students, educators, and community members learn from one another, co-create solutions, and contribute to sustainable community development. By integrating reflection, collaboration, and ethical engagement into educational experiences, service-learning prepares future health professionals to become socially accountable practitioners capable of responding to the diverse needs of the communities they serve.
Throughout the conference, participants explored critical issues surrounding ethical community engagement, including the importance of respecting community voices, fostering long-term partnerships, promoting equity in academic-community collaborations, and ensuring that service-learning initiatives create lasting benefits for all stakeholders. These discussions reinforced the value of embedding ethical principles into teaching, research, and extension programs, particularly within the health professions where community partnerships play a vital role in improving health outcomes.
For CAMP, participation in the conference reflects its broader mission of developing competent, compassionate, and socially responsive healthcare professionals. Through service-learning, students are provided opportunities to integrate classroom knowledge with authentic community experiences, enabling them to develop clinical competence, cultural humility, leadership, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of the social determinants of health.
The conference also provided an invaluable platform for networking and collaboration among institutions across the Asia-Pacific region. By engaging with fellow educators, researchers, and community partners, CAMP faculty gained new perspectives on innovative pedagogical approaches, research opportunities, and strategies for strengthening community-engaged education within the allied health professions.
As the College continues to expand its initiatives in education, research, and public service, its participation in the 2026 IARSCLE APCoP Conference reaffirms its commitment to fostering meaningful partnerships that bridge academic learning and community impact. Through active engagement in local and international service-learning networks, CAMP remains dedicated to advancing ethical, evidence-informed, and community-centered education that empowers future healthcare professionals to create positive and lasting change in society.
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