APEC Industry-Academia Collaboration Workshop 2025 Highlights Regional Partnerships for Digital Talent Development

August 27–28, 2025 – The 2025 APEC Industry-Academia Collaboration Workshop was successfully held in Taipei, Chinese Taipei, Organized by the Ministry of Education of Chinese Taipei, the workshop carried the theme: “Leveraging Digitalization for Talent Inclusion and Empowerment: Facilitating Economic Transitions by Academia-Industry Partnership.” The two‑day event brought together 36 representatives from 10 APEC member economies, along with nearly 70 participants from local universities and colleges.

The workshop aimed to strengthen regional collaboration in industry-academia engagement, foster cross-domain talent development, and exchange insights on how higher education and industry can align strategies to meet the demands of emerging digital industries. Among the international participants was Mr. Wilfred Pagorogon, one of the two delegates from the Philippines sponsored by APEC, who actively contributed to discussions on inclusive digital transformation and talent empowerment.

Throughout the program, participants engaged in keynote speeches, case-sharing sessions, and group discussions that explored cooperation in cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and smart manufacturing. Experts also shared best practices from various APEC economies, showcasing innovative initiatives from universities and industries that serve as models for collaborative talent development. Discussions placed strong emphasis on cultivating inclusive and innovative talent ecosystems, with particular focus on equipping young professionals and learners with digital skills necessary to thrive in the rapidly evolving digital economy.

By encouraging cross-border exchange of ideas and practices, the 2025 Workshop not only highlighted APEC’s commitment to inclusive growth and workforce resilience, but also injected fresh momentum into regional efforts toward economic transition, digital empowerment, and sustainable prosperity.