The Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) is an organization that oversees Catholic educational institutions in the Philippines, comprising over 1,500 members. The CEAP International Conference 2025 took place at St. Louis University in Baguio, Philippines, on February 17 and 18, 2025, under the theme "Transformative Catholic Education through Research and Innovation." Ouda Teda Ena, Ed.D., a lecturer from USD's MPBI and PBI programs, was one of the keynote speakers at this international conference.

In her presentation, Ouda Teda Ena emphasized the importance of research as a foundation for curricular and managerial policy-making in educational institutions. She stated that the Ignatian pedagogical paradigm could serve as a basis for integrating research into educational policy decisions. Research that strictly adheres to research principles can be applied at the stages of experience, reflection, and action within the Ignatian pedagogical framework. She presented studies on the development of elementary schools in the Archdiocese of Semarang and schools in Mappi Regency, Papua, as examples of research used to inform policy decisions. Ouda also shared her experiences with multi-year research funded by Erasmus+ as case studies that have impacted educational policy.


In closing her presentation, Ouda Teda Ena reiterated the significance of research as a basis for educational policy formulation. Many educational policies are established based solely on assumptions rather than data derived from research. To conclude, she quoted Pope Francis's remarks in Spain: “Education is a choral work, which always requires collaboration and networking; never remain alone, avoid self-referentiality.” This call from Pope Francis for collaboration and networking underscores the need for increased research efforts.