St. Paul University Dumaguete (SPUD) proudly served as one of the co-host institutions of the 5th Annual Hanseatic League of Universities (HLU) Conference, held from July 9 to 11, 2025, in Dumaguete City. This international academic event brought together educators, institutional leaders, and innovators from around the world under the theme “Breaking Barriers, Empowering Change.” 

As one of the official venues, SPUD hosted two key breakout sessions, affirming its active role in values-driven, globally engaged higher education. 

On July 9, SPUD facilitated the afternoon breakout session on “Student Support and Engagement.” Participants explored emerging strategies to strengthen student well-being, leadership formation, and meaningful participation in academic life, areas closely aligned with SPUD’s mission of holistic education. 

July 10 featured the morning breakout session on “Funding for Sustainability,” which focused on models of institutional growth anchored in responsible stewardship and long-term planning. Discussions reflected the increasing need for higher education institutions to innovate while staying grounded in purpose and mission. 

The three-day conference was jointly organized by four academic institutions, Negros Oriental State University, St. Paul University Dumaguete, Silliman University, and Siquijor State College, with parallel sessions conducted across partner campuses. The event offered a platform for sharing insights, best practices, and forward-looking strategies in the pursuit of transformative and inclusive education. 

SPUD’s participation as co-host not only demonstrated its capacity to contribute to international academic discourse but also underscored its enduring commitment to education that is formative, future-ready, and rooted in enduring values. True to its Paulinian identity, the university continues to nurture learning communities shaped by compassion, integrity, and a deep sense of mission.