ADB, Philippines. Held on December 3–5, 2025, the global spotlight shone on Manila and GCM seized it. The 11th edition of the ADB International Education & Skills Forum, under the banner "Applying a Fresh Lens to Unlock the Power of Human Capital,” convened education ministers, global development leaders, academic innovators, and policy‑makers from over 40 countries, with more than 300 participants committed to shaping the future of education across Asia and the Pacific. 

At the heart of this gathering were calls to rethink what education means in a rapidly changing world - from digital transformation and climate resilience to health‑sector readiness and cross‑sectoral collaboration.

GCM’s Presence and Purpose 

Represented by Dr. Felisse Marianne Z. San Juan, Chief Internationalization Officer, and Mr. Aldren H. Hila, International Linkages Officer, GCM did more than attend, it actively engaged. The team positioned GCM not just as a medical college, but as a prospective partner in Asia’s evolving human‑capital ecosystem: 

- In the Forum’s networking area, GCM displayed collaterals and program profiles for all participants to peruse a deliberate move to showcase GCM’s offerings and internationalization vision. 

- Interactions with ministers, education leaders, and institutional representatives opened doors for potential collaborations, exchange programs, and even future campus visits in Cebu. 

- With ADB's emphasis on future‑oriented sectors including health, aging care, green economies, and technology‑enabled services, GCM’s medical program gains renewed relevance. 

ADB’s Clarion Call and Why It Resonates 

In his keynote, Hon. Masato Kanda, President of Asian Development Bank (ADB), urged stakeholders to view education as the most strategic investment in the region. He spoke of bold partnerships, cross‑sector cooperation, and the urgent need to align education systems

with evolving labor markets, from AI and tech to biotechnology, healthcare, and sustainable development. 

This message aligns closely with GCM’s aspirations to internationalize, expand its reach, and contribute to human capital development especially in health education. 

What GCM Gains and What Lies Ahead 

By stepping into the region’s premier education‑policy forum, GCM signals readiness for cross‑border collaborations, attracting interest from embassies, universities, agencies, and NGO partners, and conversations with education ministers, institutional heads, and international development agencies created a rich pipeline of potential partnerships from student exchange, joint research, to international recruitment and funding collaborations. 

GCM’s Promise to the Region: From Participation to Purposeful Action 

GCM’s involvement in the 2025 ADB Forum was more than an institutional appearance, it was a strategic milestone. By showing up, showcasing, engaging, and extending invitations, GCM has shifted from observer to participant in Asia’s education‑development conversation. 

Moving forward, what counts is not just the presence but the follow‑through: forging partnerships, mobilizing networks, refining curricula, and aligning institutional strategy with regional priorities. After Manila, GCM is no longer simply a medical college in Cebu — it is now a rising node in Asia’s evolving human‑capital ecosystem. 

For GCM’s leaders, faculty, and stakeholders: Congratulations and the horizon just expanded. The journey ahead is ambitious, but after this Forum, it’s also vastly more possible.