In an era where disruptive technology, permeates every aspect of life, education is no exception. Since the inception of disruptive technology such as artificial intelligence and data analytics, innovative thinkers and leaders have emerged, wielding these tools to redefine and enrich the learning landscape. Stepping into the forefront of this transformative wave is Harrison Kelly, Regional Vice President for Asia Pacific at Instructure, a global educational technology firm in a mission to elevate student success, amplify the power of teaching, and inspire everyone to learn together. Kelly’s journey began with a simple passion for continuous learning, which later metamorphosed into a desire to change the landscape of education. Known for his innovative leadership and challenger mentality, he envisions a future where education is more accessible, efficient, and personalized. Today, he oversees the expansion of Instructure's edtech solutions across Australia, New Zealand, and developing countries in Asia, such as the Philippines. After the pandemic, Kelly witnessed how education institutions in the country grappled with the challenges of transitioning from online to face-to-face, hyflex, and blended learning environments. The very landscape of education was altering, and the expectations and needs of students were changing dramatically. In response to these emerging complexities, Kelly and his team at Instructure sought to transform adversity into opportunity with their flagship edtech solution, Canvas learning management system (LMS), which was a testament to their commitment to making tech-driven learning a reality. Recognizing that the future of education lies in leveraging technology to cater to the evolving needs of learners, they pushed for the adoption of Canvas across various educational institutions. “Our approach is to first understand their pedagogical strategy, needs, and challenges. We are working to help them innovate the way they deliver classroom instruction and adopt technology that can help them meet students' expectations for accessibility and flexibility and, more importantly, enhance their learning experience,” Kelly shared. Instructure has been working with universities in the Philippines since 2017, including Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, the University of the Philippines, and the University of Santo Tomas. Kelly pointed out that having a robust platform for online education over the pandemic ensured continuity of education in these universities, and Canvas has ensured consistency and accessibility as they return to in-person learning afterward. The challenge, however, was not only to introduce a technological solution but also to address the systemic issues plaguing the education sector. According to Kelly, “one of the biggest challenges for education in the Philippines is excessive administrative work,” and that “many students in the country juggle work, family, and school responsibilities.” These were also identified by government and education leaders as issues persistently plaguing the education system. “Edtech such as Canvas LMS empowers teachers by simplifying administrative tasks, allowing them to focus more on teaching and facilitating online access to instructional content,” Kelly explained. “It offers flexibility and personalization, enabling students to study and learn anywhere, anytime, catering to their busy schedules and responsibilities.” Beyond providing technical solutions, Kelly believes in the importance of fostering a culture of continuous learning among educators. This belief has led to the creation of a global online Canvas Community that promotes the exchange of ideas and collaboration among more than 1.5 million teachers and institutional leaders. A wealth of resources such as webinars, workshops, and training courses are also available to help educators maximize the potential of Canvas in their teaching methodologies. Among Kelly and Instructure’s efforts is actively exploring collaboration opportunities with the Philippine government and local educational organizations. Kelly emphasized, “Our aim is to extend equitable and affordable access to educational technology, thereby improving digital literacy, student outcomes, and completion rates. By forging partnerships, Instructure aims to support national goals and contribute to the advancement of educational technology in the country.” Looking ahead, Kelly sees an increased need for flexibility, personalization, and skills-based learning as key trends that will shape the Philippine higher education. He perceives this as a significant opportunity to extend the reach and effectiveness of edtech solutions to provide students with flexible access to coursework and empower educators with data-driven insights to enhance student outcomes. The Philippines is on the cusp of a monumental transformation, shifting from traditional chalkboards to the realms of digital education. Kelly perceives this as a significant opportunity for the growth of the country's education sector. As the Philippines witnesses a transformative shift from traditional chalkboards to the realm of digital education, Kelly views significant growth opportunities for the Philippine higher education. “We see a great opportunity to partner with more educational institutions to drive their necessary digital transformation. The top universities in the country are already using Canvas LMS, and we have expanded our channel program to serve a broader set of institutions nationwide. In the same way, we are seeing an important opportunity to support vocational institutions,” he said.