Category: International News

In celebration of ASEAN’s 57th Founding Anniversary, West Visayas State University (WVSU) joins the Commission on Higher Education (CHED)and other Higher Education Institutions in bolstering efforts to increase ASEAN awareness. This year, Lao PDR chairs ASEAN with the theme “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience,” underscoring the bloc’s commitment to strengthening interconnections and building a more robust community.

Prof. Edel Carmela Subong-Csoka, Director of International and Local Linkages Office (ILLO) discussed the rationale of the celebration during the August 19 flag raising ceremony. She highlighted the vital role educational institutions like WVSU play in nurturing the students who will carry forward the vision of a prosperous Southeast Asia.

The DagYoung Ambassadors brought a lively and colorful touch to the event by representing selected ASEAN countries.

Furthermore, WVSU International and Local Linkages Office (ILLO) officially launched the ASEAN-Month Bulletin Campaign highlighting the rich cultural diversity and traditions of ASEAN countries, with focus on the contribution of the colleges, campuses, and units in terms of instruction, research, and extension.

It is noted that WVSU celebrated ASEAN Month last 2021 talking about the Women in ASEAN with five invited guests from different parts of ASEAN; in 2022 with the topic Women in Politics; in 2023 through the ASEAN Exhibit at SM City Iloilo in partnership with other Philippine Higher Education Institutions in the region—winning 7 awards.

WVSU continues to promote ASEAN unity and cooperation through these educational and cultural activities.

In a bid to enhance research quality and expand academic networks, West Visayas State University (WVSU) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Warmadewa University, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia on August 16, 2024, marking the beginning of collaborative research endeavors and foster an environment of shared knowledge, innovation, and academic growth.

WVSU was represented by Dr. Ma. Gerlia Blanza, Research Coordinator of WVSU Lambunao Campus; Dr. Isauro Sindol, Internationalization Coordinator and Dr. Ludovina Catilo, Faculty Researcher of WVSU Lambunao.

In his virtual message, Dr. Joselito Villaruz, WVSU president, expressed his excitement about the positive outcomes expected from the collaboration and its lasting impact on both institutions and the global academic community.

“I am honored that our university, specifically WVSU Lambunao Campus, is a partner-organizer of Bizworld Bali, the 2nd World Conference on Business Management and Economics. Our direction aligns with Bizworld’s goal of bridging business theories with practice, achieved through research endeavors addressing community needs”, said Dr. Villaruz.

This partnership holds immense potential for collaborative projects and research breakthroughs. It represents a significant milestone in the pursuit of academic excellence and will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on both institutions.

West Visayas State University (WVSU) International and Local Linkages Office strengthened its internationalization (IZN) efforts through a seminar-workshop on internationalization strategies on August 16, 2024.

Prof. Edel Carmela Subong-Csoka, Director of International and Local Linkages Office, talked about ILLO mandates, accomplishments, strategic planning, and future international scholarship prospects. Also, she further emphasized the important role of internationalization in Higher Education Institutions.

The ILLO staff led discussions relevant to IZN operations–Ms. Alisa Mei Locsin, ILLO Staff, discussed on necessary documents and processes needed for international travel; Mr. Nelson Tajanlangit, ILLO Staff, tackled matters on budget and itinerary preparation and Mr. Gladwyn Gustilo introduced digital tools and platforms on internationalization.

The topics provided deans, IZN frontliners, faculty and unit heads with an understanding of the procedures involved in handling foreign faculty and student mobility and exchange, highlighting the significance of making travel and study documents thoroughly in preparation.

The event was attended by the Dr. Rosario Clarabel Contreras, Campus Administrator of WVSU Calinog; Dr. Raymund Moreno, IZN Coordinator of WVSU Calinog campus; Dr. Marie Candy Celeste, Director, Academic Affairs; Unit Heads; Deans; Administrative staff, and faculty.

For the record, WVSU Calinog is the external campus with the greatest number of international partners. Through the efforts of Dr. Moreno, the campus also has accomplished IZN-related activities since 2021.

West Visayas State University (WVSU) participated in this year’s Global Reach 2024 virtual symposium last August 7-8, 2024. The symposium, themed “Food Systems and Community Agriculture’’ and ‘’Climate Smart Agriculture’’ was organized by Dalhousie University Faculty of Agriculture (Dal-AC), in partnership with universities and colleges around the world.

Two graduate students from the WVSU College of Agriculture and Forestry represented the university, allowing graduate students from partner universities to present their research findings and collaborate to an international audience. It also served as an important networking opportunity while showcasing Graduate Student research.

Rhea Joy Descalso Flora presented her study on “Effects of Creeping Daisy (Wedelia trilobata) Invasion on the Properties of the Soil Under the Selected Plantation Crops” and Charie T. Toledo for her study “The Importance of Community Participation in the Implementation of the Forestland Management Project: The Case of Jalaur River Basin”.

Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University (FAFU), Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST), Mariano Marcos State University, University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV), and UP Los Baños, were also represented in the said symposium.

Dr. Ma. Asuncion Christine Dequilla, Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) of West Visayas State University (WVSU) represented the university in the 2024 World Korean Educators Conference at Seoul, South Korea from August 5 to 8, 2024.

During this conference, Dr. Dequilla joined groups of other Korean educators and teachers from King Sejong Institute branches around the globe. WVSU is selected as one of the two academic institutions in the Philippines to participate in the said conference.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has been hosting the event annually alongside King Sejong Institute Foundation (KSIF), which supervises the network of King Sejong Institutes (KSIs) around the world. King Sejong Institutes are state-run Korean language institutes set up to better promote the language and traditions of Korea all around the world.

Annually, teachers and educators from all over the world come together to officially launch new KSIs and to reward outstanding ones, as well as to exchange information and experiences.

Dr. Dequilla expressed her excitement in exploring the diverse instruction and academic benefits offered by the KSI.

It is recalled that WVSU has been officially designated as a Sejong Institute for 2024, as part of an international network dedicated to spreading the Korean language and culture.

West Visayas State University (WVSU) International and Local Linkages Office strengthened its international efforts through a seminar-workshop on innovation in internationalization (IZN) strategies in Pototan campus on July 24, 2024.

Prof. Edel Carmela Subong-Csoka, Director of International and Local Linkages Office, talked on ILLO mandates, strategic planning, accomplishments and upcoming foreign scholarship opportunities. Also, she underlined the important role of internationalization in Higher Education Institutions.

The ILLO staff led discussions on topics relevant to IZN operations–Ms. Alisa Mei Locsin talked on necessary paperwork and requirements needed for international travel; Mr. Nelson Tajanlangit tackled matters on budget and itinerary preparation and Mr. Gladwyn Gustilo introduced basic news writing on internationalization.

This activity aimed to orient students, IZN coordinator, faculty and unit heads on internationalization and taking and making opportunities in local and foreign institutions.

The event was attended by Dr. Raymund Gemora, Campus Administrator of WVSU Pototan; Prof. Claudine May Leysa, Public Affairs and Linkages Coordinator; Dr. Lauro E. Estecomen, IZN Coordinator of WVSU Pototan campus; Unit Heads; Deans and DagYoung Student Ambassadors from the different colleges and campuses.

To strengthen the ties within the WVSU system for a greater university student representation, the International and Local Linkages Office (ILLO) hosted the DagYoung Ambassadors’ Meeting and Election on July 23, 2024 at the Center for Teaching Excellence.

The Director of International and Local Linkages office, Ms. Edel Carmela Subong-Csoka, welcomed the student ambassadors coming from the different colleges and campuses of the WVSU system. She highlighted the importance of DagYoung Ambassadors in local and international partnerships, reiterating their roles in working with the strategic internationalization plans, programs and activities of the colleges and campuses for the purpose of Internationalization (IZN).

The event serves as an avenue for DagYoung Ambassadors to understand the value of university representation as they are now going to be in full force operations starting the first semester of this year.

Approved by the Board of Regents in 2022, the DagYoung Ambassadors refers to the official student ambassadors of the University. This assembly of students embodies the values and excellence the University has imparted and they aim to thrust WVSU into the international stage as it transitions into a research-centered institution.

The Student Ambassadors will be at the forefront of this significant milestone that is geared towards achieving the University’s mission, vision, and core values. They are composed of different student volunteers from the colleges and campuses of the WVSU system who are mandated to: assist in welcoming domestic and international partners of the University; coordinate with the Directors of ILLO and Public Affairs and Communications Office with regards to diplomatic and consular relations activities; work with the college/campus internationalization coordinators in the internationalization plans, programs, and activities of the college/campus; conduct International Program that promotes global competitiveness to students; create an internationalization plan for the students of the University; promote international friendship; and, advocate for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in the University and its local and international partners.

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