Category: News

Officials from West Visayas State University (WVSU) are currently visiting Coventry University in the United Kingdom (UK) from May 19 to 22, 2025, to strengthen academic and research partnerships.

The delegation, led by Dr. Greta G. Gabinete, WVSU Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Extension, includes Dr. Rosario Clarabel C. Contreras, Campus Administrator of Calinog Campus, and Dr. Elias C. Olapane, Head of Research, Innovation and Development and Internationalization Coordinator.

The visit is focused on fostering a robust exchange of knowledge and best practices in areas such as research-led teaching and learning, research commercialization, doctoral supervision, and the development of international linkages.

Dr. Dimitar Angelov, Coventry University’s focal person for the WVSU partnership and lead of the “Digital Challenges and Opportunities in Education (including AI)” theme at the Research Centre for Global Learning, welcomed the delegates at Coventry University’s Priory Street campus.

They also engaged in roundtable discussions with Prof. Carolyn Wynne, Director of Coventry University’s Doctoral and Researcher College, and Prof. Marina Orsini-Jones, lead of the “Equity and Equality in Education” theme.

As part of the program, the WVSU delegation will attend a one-day research conference hosted by GLEA. The conference will allow the visitors to present their ongoing research and strengthen WVSU’s global academic presence. Dr. Olapane will discuss indigenous people and WVSU’s initiatives as an emerging research university in the Philippines. Dr. Gabinete will present research-led initiatives aimed at achieving food security, while Dr. Contreras will share insights on biological agents and financial literacy.

The delegates toured several Coventry University facilities, including the Research Centre for Global Learning, the Institute for Creative Cultures, and the National Transport Design Centre (NTDC). The team also explored significant educational and cultural sites in the UK, such as the Coventry Transport Museum, Coventry Cathedral, and local art galleries, with additional visits planned in London.

WVSU and Coventry University formalized their collaboration in 2023 through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focused on research and academic exchange.

This visit represents a significant step in realizing that partnership, aimed at fostering mutual growth and global academic engagement.

By Gladwyn B. Gustilo/ILLO

In a historic move to promote Indigenous Peoples (IP) education and cultural preservation, West Visayas State University (WVSU) Calinog Campus, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Region VI, and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Calinog officially signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) today, May 6, 2025.

The MOA signing ceremony was led by WVSU President Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz, NCIP Regional Director for Regions VI and VII Princess May Alcarde-Oral, and Mr. Renato Casinao, Indigenous Peoples Focal Person and Executive Assistant, who represented the LGU of Calinog.

Under the agreement, WVSU Calinog Campus, NCIP Region VI, and LGU Calinog will collaboratively design academic programs that reflect the cultural identities and traditional wisdom of indigenous communities. The integration of indigenous perspectives into the curriculum is seen as a transformative step toward a more inclusive and contextually relevant education system. A specialized program for Indigenous Peoples Education is also planned to further institutionalize this approach.

The partnership also emphasizes the importance of research and documentation, with the three parties committing to joint studies focusing on indigenous traditions, environmental practices, and sustainable development. NCIP will play a key role in providing cultural oversight and legal guidance to ensure respect for IP rights and heritage throughout the process.

In line with community extension services, the agreement outlines the organization of cultural events, festivals, and workshops aimed at celebrating and preserving indigenous cultures. The establishment of community-based Sarantes, mobile education services, and an IP Village as a cultural and educational hub is also part of the long-term vision of the partnership.

Capacity building and professional development will also be central to the collaboration. Educators, researchers, and community leaders will benefit from targeted training and workshops to enhance their skills in indigenous education and engagement. Resource-sharing mechanisms will be developed to support sustainable and collaborative project implementation.

Also present during the signing were Dr. Rosario Clarabel Contreras-Leda, WVSU Calinog Campus Administrator; Dr. Marie L. Candy Celeste, Director of Academic Affairs; Dr. Elias A. Olapane, Calinog Research Head and Internationalization Coordinator; and Miss Dinna Joy P. Otayde, Peace Coordinator of Calinog Campus.

This partnership reflects a strong commitment to equity in education, cultural empowerment, and sustainable community development, marking a new chapter in the recognition and integration of Indigenous Peoples’ heritage within academic and local governance frameworks.

By Gladwyn B. Gustilo/ILLO