Global spotlight on SDG Research

Far Eastern University (FEU) strengthened its presence on the global academic scene after the collaborative research project of the Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (ITHM) on sustainability education was selected for presentation at the 18th International Panel of Experts (IPoE) Forum 2025 of the International Centre of Excellence in Tourism and Hospitality Education (THE-ICE), held from October 19 to 21, 2025, at Mae Fah Luang University in Chiang Rai, Thailand.

The study, titled “Bridging Sustainability and Education: Integrating Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Tourism and Hospitality Curricula,” was chosen for presentation under THE-ICE Research Grant Scheme (RGS), underscoring its academic rigor and international relevance. Reflecting on this milestone, Dr. Harold Bueno, ITHM Dean, emphasized the significance of the recognition, stating, “Among numerous submissions worldwide, only two research projects were selected for presentation during the forum—this study being one of them—highlighting its relevance, rigor, and global significance.”

The international research examined how Tourism and Hospitality programs across Philippine Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) can meaningfully embed sustainability principles and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into their curricula. It assessed existing curriculum structures, identified key gaps in implementation, and developed a structured framework to support effective and contextualized SDG integration. One of the study’s major contributions was the development of a seven-point action plan that HEIs offering Tourism and Hospitality programs may adopt to systematically integrate the SDGs into their curricula. The framework emphasizes curriculum alignment, faculty capability-building, industry engagement, and sustainability-driven learning outcomes, ensuring that sustainability education is not treated as an add-on, but as a core academic pillar.

The project was a collaborative initiative between Lyceum of the Philippines University–Laguna and FEU, led by Dr. Abram Emmanuel Peralta and Dr. Harold Bueno, respectively. The research team included Dr. Ryan Gamoso, Dean Jonna Dotimas, and Dr. Joela Nolasco, reflecting the value of cross-institutional collaboration in addressing shared challenges in tourism and hospitality education.

The presentation formed part of THE-ICE IPoE Forum 2025, themed “Adapting to Global Shifts: Innovating Tourism and Hospitality Education for a Sustainable Future,” which brought together global leaders from education, research, and industry to discuss the future direction of Tourism and Hospitality education amid sustainability and technological shifts. For FEU, the recognition reinforces its commitment to sustainability-oriented research, academic innovation, and international engagement.