Why OpenLearning’s expansion into the Philippines public university system signals a new stage in its Southeast Asian growth strategy
OpenLearning Limited (ASX: OLL), the Australian artificial intelligence (AI)-powered software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform for lifelong learning, has taken a major step in its regional expansion by announcing two strategically significant agreements in the Philippines. The first is a usage-based SaaS contract with the University of the Philippines Manila, the nation’s top-ranked public university. The second is a three-year reseller partnership with CE Logic Limited, a division of the publishing and education technology powerhouse C&E Publishing.
Together, these agreements underline OpenLearning’s deepening commitment to Southeast Asia’s fast-growing higher education market and its ambition to become the preferred platform for AI-driven micro-credentialing, course design, and digital education delivery.
The University of the Philippines Manila agreement, announced on October 3, 2025, marks OpenLearning’s first SaaS partnership with a public university in the country. Under the contract, the university will deploy OpenLearning’s AI-enabled learning management system for at least 10,000 students during an initial one-year term, with a minimum annual fee of AUD 30,000 and renewal options extending up to five years. The platform will support both on-campus and lifelong learning programs, including micro-credential initiatives aimed at professional upskilling.
Although the contract’s monetary value is not material to the company’s earnings, it is viewed as strategically transformative. The Philippines operates one of Asia’s largest public higher education ecosystems, with more than 233 state universities and colleges serving over 1.6 million students. Entering that space through its top institution gives OpenLearning an anchor client capable of influencing national adoption trends.
Adam Brimo, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of OpenLearning, noted that the partnership with the country’s most prestigious academic institution demonstrates the credibility of its AI-powered model. He said the collaboration represents both a milestone and an opportunity to showcase how generative AI can automate course design, streamline academic delivery, and expand access to quality digital education.
How the CE Logic reseller agreement expands OpenLearning’s footprint across the wider Philippine higher education sector
In a complementary move announced the same day, OpenLearning also signed a three-year reseller partnership with CE Logic Limited, part of C&E Publishing, one of the Philippines’ largest education technology distributors. CE Logic has a well-established network spanning more than 1,000 universities, colleges, and schools, supported by a sales and business development team of over 40 professionals.
The partnership empowers CE Logic to market, integrate, and support the OpenLearning platform nationwide, tapping into its strong institutional relationships and decades of experience in distributing learning management systems such as Canvas and D2L. The agreement builds upon a prior platform SaaS contract between the two companies signed in July 2025, which had a minimum value of AUD 495,000 over three years. Following that earlier collaboration, CE Logic began using OpenLearning’s LMS internally for its own micro-credential initiatives and was reportedly impressed by the scalability and AI-driven authoring tools of the platform.
Under the new reseller arrangement, there are no minimum fee obligations or exclusivity provisions for either party, and revenue generation will depend on CE Logic’s success in securing institutional customers. While this means the contract is not financially material in isolation, OpenLearning considers it strategically significant because of the size and influence of C&E Publishing in the Philippine education market. The publishing group has been instrumental in the digital transformation of the country’s academic infrastructure, offering integration and training services to hundreds of institutions.
By linking directly with an established EdTech distribution channel, OpenLearning aims to accelerate adoption of its platform far beyond individual institutional partnerships. The combined impact of the UP Manila deal and CE Logic reseller agreement effectively gives the Australian company both credibility at the top of the academic hierarchy and reach across the broader institutional base.
How these partnerships align with OpenLearning’s regional and institutional growth ambitions
OpenLearning has long maintained a strong footprint in the Australian and Malaysian higher education sectors, serving more than 250 education providers and three million learners worldwide. Its strategy has increasingly focused on Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia, India, and now the Philippines, where digital transformation in education is gaining rapid policy support.
Industry observers note that the company’s dual-track approach — combining a flagship university partnership with a large-scale distribution alliance — represents a deliberate bid to balance brand validation with commercial scalability. The University of the Philippines Manila provides institutional prestige and local proof of concept, while CE Logic offers nationwide access through its sales infrastructure and existing relationships.
From an investor standpoint, the timing appears calculated. As global universities accelerate hybrid and online learning investments, OpenLearning’s AI-centric model differentiates itself from legacy LMS vendors that rely primarily on static course management rather than adaptive content generation. Its ability to use generative AI to design curricula and streamline course authoring provides a distinct competitive advantage in cost efficiency and educator productivity.
Market analysts interpret these agreements as early signals of a renewed growth cycle. While OpenLearning’s financial results remain constrained by its small-cap profile, the Philippine partnerships could serve as catalysts for future multi-institution deals across Asia. If the company can replicate the UP Manila model within the wider University of the Philippines system — which encompasses eight constituent universities and more than 60,000 students — its revenue base could meaningfully expand over the next few years.
What institutional sentiment and market performance suggest about OpenLearning’s investment outlook
As of early October 2025, OpenLearning’s stock (ASX: OLL) was trading around AUD 0.025, giving it a market capitalization of approximately AUD 12 million. The shares have ranged between AUD 0.011 and AUD 0.054 over the past 52 weeks, reflecting a year-to-date gain of roughly 78%. The stock remains a microcap, ranking near the lower end of the Australian software sector by valuation, but investor sentiment has strengthened following a string of regional announcements and the company’s consistent focus on AI differentiation.
Institutional interest in the stock remains limited, yet retail investors appear to be accumulating positions on expectations of long-term adoption momentum. Analysts generally characterize the market response as “constructively speculative”: the Philippine deals are not expected to move financials in the near term, but they reinforce the company’s narrative as a technology-first disruptor in digital education.
Investors have also responded positively to OpenLearning’s consistent emphasis on technology development rather than aggressive marketing. Its ability to partner with credible institutions like UP Manila lends authenticity to its positioning in the education technology ecosystem. Moreover, the company’s ongoing engagement with local partners such as CE Logic signals a pragmatic understanding of distribution dynamics in emerging markets — a lesson many global EdTech firms have struggled to internalize.
What could the future hold for OpenLearning’s AI-powered learning management platform in Asia’s education technology landscape?
Looking ahead, OpenLearning’s trajectory will depend on how effectively it can scale beyond early adopters. The company’s generative AI framework — capable of automating content creation, adaptive assessment, and course delivery — positions it well to address the surging demand for lifelong learning and professional micro-credentials. These capabilities align with regional government initiatives focused on workforce development and digital inclusion.
In the Philippines, where many public institutions are still transitioning from traditional models to hybrid and online education, OpenLearning’s platform offers universities a way to modernize without heavy infrastructure investment. Analysts suggest that if the company succeeds in embedding itself across multiple universities through CE Logic’s network, it could establish a sustainable recurring revenue stream and a defensible market position in a competitive landscape.
Globally, OpenLearning continues to compete with large incumbents such as Blackboard, Moodle, and Instructure’s Canvas. Its advantage lies in agility and innovation, particularly its integration of AI in both pedagogy and administration. The Philippines partnerships thus function not only as market entries but as live demonstrations of how artificial intelligence can transform the economics of learning management.
For investors, the opportunity remains speculative but compelling. OpenLearning’s small market capitalization leaves room for significant upside if its expansion strategy delivers tangible revenue growth. Conversely, the risks include execution challenges, slower-than-expected adoption, and competition from established vendors.
However, as the education sector increasingly embraces AI-driven solutions, OpenLearning’s early presence in high-growth markets like the Philippines could offer a structural advantage. The company’s focus on partnering with trusted local institutions and distributors may prove to be its most valuable differentiator in the coming years.
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