On December 12, 2024, West Visayas State University (WVSU) hosted a significant event, fostering a powerful collaboration between the United States and the Philippines. The workshop was part of the U.S.-Philippines Partnership for Skills, Innovation, and Lifelong Learning (UPSKILL) Program, a partnership funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by RTI International and several U.S. universities, including Arizona State University (ASU). This collaboration aimed to enhance research culture and promote skills innovation and lifelong learning in higher education.
Dr. Celina C. Gellada, WVSU’s Vice President for Medical & Allied Sciences, welcomed over 50 participants from various higher education institutions in Western Visayas. She expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to host this transformative event and emphasized the importance of global partnerships in improving the quality of education and research.
The workshop featured a lecture from Dr. Gael McDonald, Senior Director for Higher Education Development at ASU’s University Design Institute (UDI). Dr. McDonald, a recognized expert in higher education development, shared valuable insights on how institutions can strengthen their research culture to meet global standards and gain international recognition. She explained that building a research culture that aligns with international rankings requires strategic planning, effective resource allocation, staff development, and community engagement.
Dr. McDonald provided attendees with a roadmap for enhancing their research culture. She stressed the importance of establishing clear research priorities, implementing performance metrics to monitor progress, and profiling staff to identify areas for targeted development. Supporting doctoral students and early-career researchers was also highlighted as a crucial step in building a sustainable research culture. Dr. McDonald emphasized that strong partnerships are vital to driving research innovation, urging institutions to invest in research infrastructure and encourage international collaboration to broaden their impact. She concluded with recommendations for fostering research excellence and ensuring long-term success.
The event was part of ASU’s broader efforts under the UPSKILL Program, which includes the Transformation Accelerator. As part of this initiative, WVSU has been selected to receive direct technical support to enhance its research capabilities and institutional development. The collaboration with ASU is aimed at providing practical guidance and expertise to strengthen WVSU’s research capacity, ensuring it remains competitive and capable of achieving global recognition.
In addition to Dr. McDonald’s lecture, the event included contributions from other key ASU representatives, including Mr. Carlo Fernando, Senior Manager for Higher Education Design at UDI, and Ms. Dawn Straw, Executive Director of Global Services at UDI. Dr. Mabeth Buenviaje and Ms. Ayhen Llada, also played pivotal roles in organizing the workshop, which provided a platform for sharing knowledge and best practices among local institutions.
The workshop, which brought together academic leaders and researchers, was a crucial step in aligning local universities with global standards of excellence in research. It also served as an opportunity for WVSU and other Philippine institutions to explore the UPSKILL Program’s resources and collaborate with ASU’s University Design Institute to improve their research outputs and overall educational quality.
WVSU’s involvement in this initiative is a testament to its commitment to enhancing research culture and contributing to the advancement of higher education in the Philippines. Through this collaboration with ASU, WVSU is poised to play a leading role in shaping the future of higher education in the region, advancing research, and supporting lifelong learning.
As the event concluded, the participants left with a renewed sense of purpose and actionable strategies for improving research at their institutions. The successful collaboration between ASU and WVSU demonstrates the power of international partnerships in fostering innovation and excellence in education.
