Category: Linkages

A spirit of cultural and academic exchange filled the CTE Main Hall on May 4 as the College of Education (COE) of West Visayas State University (WVSU) welcomed SEA-Teacher Batch 11 practice teachers from Universitas Negeri Jakarta—Muhammad Fazl Andeaka Prawira, Rafi Ahmad Fakhri, and Muhamad Syaiful Ikhwan—for their teaching immersion at WVSU.

Messages were delivered by Dr. Ricky M. Magno, COE Dean; Prof. Mary June Pineda, Integrated Laboratory School Director; and Edel Carmela S. Subong-Csoka, Director of the International and Local Linkages Office, highlighting international collaboration in education.

The program included an overview by Dr. Cheryl Lyn Delgado, Chair of the Division of Secondary Teacher Training, and closing remarks from Prof. Esperval Cezhar Cadiao, COE IZN Coordinator.

WVSU’s participation in the SEA-Teacher exchange at Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Indonesia, was likewise recognized, with Prof. Bonifacio P. Gaverza and student participants Ayessa Mae T. Tumabotabo, Athria B. Vidiot, and Prince Ryan A. Rabo, underscoring the university’s continued engagement in international academic exchange.

Driving focused international research dialogue in languages and culture, West Visayas State University (WVSU) brought together students, alumni, and partners for “Panalawsaw 2026: Borderless Unbound – Weaving Words Across Worlds” on April 29 at the Rehearsal Hall.

The colloquium was organized by the College of Arts and Sciences – BA Foreign Languages in collaboration with the UP Korea Research Center and supported by the Korea Foundation.

Opening messages were delivered by Dr. Eleonora B. Padilla, Student Research Coordinator, and Dr. Bonna S. Palma, CAS Dean, who emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and global engagement in advancing higher education.

A key highlight of the event was the presentation of Dr. Kyung Min Bae, who underscored the role of the UP Korea Research Center in localizing Korean Studies in the Philippines and fostering meaningful international academic partnerships.

The program also featured a research presentation by Krizza S. Cañete, UPKRC-KONECT Alumnus, which offered a comparative analysis of how language and landscapes shape historical consciousness in Iloilo City and Seoul.

Panalawsaw serves as a platform for intercultural exchange and collaborative research in language and culture, strengthening WVSU’s global engagement, with the colloquium set to conclude tomorrow.

An atmosphere of gratitude and cultural appreciation filled the closing ceremony as West Visayas State University (WVSU) recognized French interns Eugénie Mouret and Maëlys Bourdin for successfully completing their two-month internship program.

The interns, who are taking up a Master’s degree in “Teaching Abroad” at Université Toulouse – Jean Jaurès in France, specialize in international cooperation, cultural diversity, and intercultural mediation. Their stay at WVSU was facilitated by the International and Local Linkages Office (ILLO).

During their internship, Mouret and Bourdin played an active role in academic life by conducting French language classes and facilitating crash courses on French culture for students at the main campus.

Ms. Edel Carmela Subong-Csoka, Director of ILLO, expressed her appreciation for the interns’ enthusiasm, dedication, and the global perspective they shared, emphasizing the positive impact of their presence on both students and faculty.

Faculty members also reflected on their experiences working with the interns. Dr. Alexander Balsomo of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) highlighted not only their academic contributions but also the memorable hiking experience they shared, which fostered camaraderie and cultural exchange outside the classroom. Meanwhile, Prof. Raffy Galan of the College of Communication (COC) commended their openness to learning, particularly their willingness to participate in a Hiligaynon class, showing genuine interest in understanding the local culture.

Host family likewise played a significant role in the interns’ experience, providing a welcoming environment that allowed them to fully immerse themselves in Filipino culture and daily life.

Students expressed their gratitude for the interns’ creative teaching methods, while members of the DagYoung Student Ambassadors noted how the program strengthened cultural connections and promoted mutual understanding among participants.

The ceremony marked the culmination of a meaningful exchange, reflecting WVSU’s continued efforts to expand its global partnerships.

In line with its commitment to internationalization, the College of Education of West Visayas State University (WVSU) continues to expand its global academic engagement as two of its students participate in the 11th batch of the Southeast Asian Teacher (SEA-Teacher) Project at Universitas Ahmad Dahlan in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, from March 31 to April 25, 2026.

Representing the university are Mhegan Lois Valerio, a fourth-year Bachelor of Early Childhood Education student, and Romavil Abelarde, a fourth-year Bachelor of Special Needs Education major in Elementary School Teaching.

The SEA-Teacher Project provides pre-service teachers with opportunities to gain international classroom experience, enhance pedagogical competence, and foster cross-cultural understanding among future educators across Southeast Asia.

Accompanying the students as faculty advisor is Dr. Micron Rey Fuego, faculty member of the Division of Special Needs Education, COE. During the visit, Dr. Fuego also presented a lecture titled “Inclusive Learning: Assessment and Classroom Management Strategies,” as part of the academic collaboration between the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education of UAD and WVSU.

Through its continued participation in the SEA-Teacher Project, WVSU reaffirms its commitment to developing globally competent educators equipped with international perspectives and professional excellence.

By Gladwyn B. Gustilo/ILLO