West Visayas State University (WVSU) International and Local Linkages Office (ILLO) concluded its three-part DagYoung Sessions activity with the topic, Pitching the Institution, via Google Meet, on October 20, 2024, seeking to integrate student ambassadors with concepts in pitching WVSU and build a brand identity around it.
Professor Edel Carmela Subong-Csoka, Director of ILLO, emphasized that setting up a series of workshops is not only to teach practical skills but also to inspire and empower student ambassadors for strategic growth.
During the workshop, resource speaker, Mr. Daryl Lasafin, Head of Operations, Dame Digital, highlighted the importance of branding in the University’s marketing plan, especially if that institution is not particularly well-known. Creating a solid identity is the best way to draw more partnerships on a global scale as it helps promote distinctiveness that sets an institution apart from others.
He started the discussion by outlining WVSU’s particular strengths and focusing on what exactly makes it unique. Student ambassadors must begin with gaining a clear understanding of the University’s vision, mission, and core values.
Additionally, he underpinned the branding story framework which pinpoints three specific components: purpose, drive, and culture. These foundational elements served as the guiding principles for branding decisions. Knowing who you are, what you stand for, and who you aim to reach is essential in creating a brand that resonates.
Through these discussions, student ambassadors were reminded of how they can be ‘game changers’, especially with the kind of influence that comes being a branding arm of the university.
After the discussion, a forum session took place and participants posed questions as well as comments to the speaker.
The DagYoung Sessions was conceptualized by the ILLO in an effort to provide student ambassadors with skills necessary for the future and prepare them to become global citizens at the forefront of international education in the years to come.
