Dr. Felma Tria

Dr. Ma. Felma Carlos-Tria
University President and Chief Academic and Executive Officer
Universidad de Manila (UDM)
Philippines
SDG Focus: Goal 4 – Quality Education
Changemaker for Youth Empowerment through Inclusive, Quality-Driven Learning (Philippines)

Dr. Ma. Felma Carlos-Tria is a distinguished academic leader, educator, researcher, and administrator whose more than 20 years of dedicated service have elevated higher education standards, expanded access to quality learning, and positioned Universidad de Manila (UDM) as a beacon of excellence in the Philippines and beyond.

As President and Chief Academic and Executive Officer of UDM, Dr. Tria has steered the institution toward remarkable achievements under her visionary leadership. She has forged extensive local and international partnerships with government agencies, universities across Asia, and global educational bodies—enhancing curriculum relevance, student mobility, research collaboration, and community impact. Her international exposure includes advanced studies at the National University of Singapore (Policy Reforms), Harvard Institute of Graduate Studies (Educational Administration), and the Asian Institute of Management (Global Academic Leadership Program, CHED scholar). A certified Edexcel instructor under Pearson Education (UK/Australia), she brings global best practices to Philippine higher education.

Under Dr. Tria’s stewardship, UDM has earned prestigious recognitions that reflect her commitment to academic rigor and student success:

Consecutive Academic Excellence Awards for outstanding performance in various licensure examinations
CHED recognition as Top 5 Performing School in the Social Work Board Exam
Fastest attainment of Level 2 Institutional Accreditation in just two years
Ranking 1001–1500 in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2025
Inclusion in the WURI 2025 Top 100 for innovative and impactful higher education

Her pioneering contributions to curriculum development were honored with the 2023 SISC Award for 16 years of leadership in establishing and advancing the AB Communication and AB Multimedia Arts programs. Earlier accolades include the Certificate of Excellence in Effective Educational Practices (EDXEL iLearn Charter School Academy and Saint Paul Christian School, USA, 2017), a Certificate of Recognition from the University of Guam for her research on “Media Influence on the Filipino Youth in Relation to Social Issues and Initiatives” (2017), and the Outstanding Educator Award (Faculty with Administrative Function) from the Consortium of the South.

Dr. Tria holds a Doctorate in Educational Administration and a Master of Arts in Communication Management from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of the Philippines Diliman.