Jeju Island, South Korea–West Visayas State University (WVSU) has significantly advanced its 17 years of long-standing partnership with Jeju National University (JNU) following a pivotal engagement with key officials from JNU’s Regional Innovation System and Education (RISE) initiative. This deepened collaboration centers on the ” Establishment of the Center for Digital Transformation for Governance” project at WVSU, a vital undertaking funded by the Department of Science and Technology-VI (DOST).
This expanded partnership comes after a recent visit by WVSU delegates, who were part of the DOST-Western Visayas Consortium for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (WVCIEERD) international study mission to Jeju Island from June 16-20, 2025.
Leading the WVSU team were Dr. Ma. Beth S. Concepcion, Dean of the College of ICT and Project Leader of WVSU’s Center for Digital Transformation for Governance, and Mr. Shem Durst Elijah B. Sandig, a faculty member and researcher.
A key highlight was their meeting with JNU President Eel-Hwan Kim, reaffirming the strong bond between the universities. They also met with Dr. Chul-Ung Kang, Vice President and Director of JNU-RISE, and Dr. Yung-Cheol Byun, a professor and director at JNU’s RIS Office for High-Intelligent Service.
These discussions highlighted how WVSU’s digital transformation goals align with JNU’s RISE program, which focuses on regional development through technology. The goal is to boost digital transformation for governance and foster an innovation-driven Western Visayas, leveraging Jeju as a model of innovation.
By Gladwyn B. Gustilo/ILLO
