1 June 2022

Atty. Punzalan’s keynote highlights outlook and strategies for recovery of creative industries in the ASEAN region at the 7th AUN-CA Annual Meeting

By
AUN Writer Team

By Hannah Louise Dimayuga, AUN Intern

Last May 6, Atty. Dulce Blanca Punzalan, Corporate Secretary and Trustee at the Asosasyon ng Musikong Pilipino, World Bamboo Ambassador, United Nations Global Impact Representative, and Chief Executive Officer at Crea 8 Innov 8 Marketing, addressed the members of the AUN-CA in a keynote speech at the 7th AUN-CA Annual Meeting.

With the theme “The Role of the ASEAN+3 Educational Institutions for the Recovery and Growth of the Creative Industries in the Region”, Atty. Punzalan opened her speech by providing a brief background on the situation of public investment and educational institutions affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. With the majority of creative industries such as concerts, fiestas, music festivals, etc. being challenged by the lockdowns, only a handful of industries survived in an online setup. Moreover, the closure of schools hindered students from fully honing their skills and creativity. In line with this, a study on the digital literacy in education systems in ASEAN, where experiences, attitudes, and challenges of young people regarding digital literacy was presented.

Atty. Punzalan moved on with her keynote speech by introducing the advantages of using virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) in college classrooms. These are the following advantages: grasping concepts, recreating past experiences for new learners, stagecraft for theater students, virtual reconstruction of history, going for space walks, reimagining the future, practicing clinical care, hands-on railroading, and feeling the impact of decisions. By utilizing VR and AR in college classrooms, students can better understand theoretical concepts with ease, thereby aiding them in their preparation for their future careers.

Next, Atty. Punzalan highlighted the importance of the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework in creating policies directed to recovery and growth of creative industries. The framework emphasizes the need for a holistic ASEAN-community approach that is multilateral and inclusive of all sectors in the society. Moreover, the Framework also puts great importance in having a clarity in direction, synergy and complementary with national response and initiatives, agile and flexible implementation, and a 3Rs phased approach.

Moving forward, Atty. Punzalan discussed the ways to prepare students for post-COVID jobs market, emphasizing the need to teach using a mix of high-tech, low-tech, and no-tech, to lessen high-stakes exams, and to empower the students with adaptability skills and financial resources. In line with this, reskilling and upscaling of abilities is needed to adapt better to post-COVID 19 job industries. Atty. Punzalan presented the top skills that are needed by 2025: analytical thinking and innovation, complex problem-solving, critical thinking and analysis, and active learning strategies, among others. By upgrading skills, knowledge, and capabilities, young people will be prepared to face the future that is more digitally connected and fast-paced.

Finally, Atty. Punzalan closed her keynote speech by presenting the best practices from success stories in the digitalization of ASEAN SMEs in agriculture and food, manufacturing, information and communication technology, and various services. Also, part of the discussion were key elements in digital transformation through innovative technologies, business continuity planning and disaster resilience, and enabling environment. With the hopes of inspiring the region to become more digitalized, Atty. Punzalan challenged culture advocates to change the world through education, social protection, and innovation using science and mathematics.