Transcending the boundaries of cross-border academic collaboration, Pangasinan State University though the Office of the Vice President for Local and International Affairs, hosted the international program “๐๐น๐ผ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ป๐ฒ๐ฐ๐: ๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ก ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐บ ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ป๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐น๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ฑ๐๐ฐ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป,” June 30, 2026.
Adopting a dynamic hybrid set-up, the event seamlessly connected global educators live at the Ylang-Ylang Hall of the Golden Lion Hotel and virtually via Zoom and Facebook Live, bringing together representatives from various institutions across Southeast Asia and the Philippines.
The forum was guided by the timely theme, โReimagining Higher Education through Internationalization and Strategic Partnerships,โ serving as a powerful platform for sharing visionary strategies designed to reshape the landscape of ASEAN higher education.
This initiative was made fully possible through the unwavering leadership of the University President ๐๐ฟ. ๐๐น๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐ . ๐๐ฎ๐น๐ฎ๐. This event stands as a resounding reflection of the administration’s commitment to elevating PSU’s status from a premier local institution into a highly competitive and universally recognized university on the global stage.
The forum commenced with an inspiring address from ๐๐ฟ. ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฎ๐๐ผ ๐. ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐น๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ผ, Vice President for Local and International Affairs. In his welcome remarks, Dr. Salcedo set a proactive tone for the day, challenging everyone in attendance to take an active role in shaping the future:
“Let us embrace this opportunity to be architects of a new Era in Higher Education.”
The first session featured ๐ ๐ฟ. ๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ ๐. ๐ง๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ป, Director for Partnerships and Assistant to the Vice Chancellor at UNITAR International University, Malaysia. Speaking on “Designing Industry-Aligned International Curriculum,” Mr. Tinawin emphasized the critical need to align academic programs with global market demands. He extended an open invitation to institutions and industry leaders to collaborate, share ideas and co-create more impactful learning experiences, noting:
“Together, we can reimagine education that works for the world of today and tomorrow.”
Anchoring the dayโs discussions with a powerful keynote address from ๐๐ฟ. ๐๐ต๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ ๐ก. ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฟ, Director IV of the International Affairs Service, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Philippines. Delving into her topic, “Partnerships for International Visibility and Organizational Transformation: From Connection to Collaboration: PHEIs ACHIEVEing Expanded Internationalization,” Dr. Ferrer advocated for equity in global learning. She challenged Philippine Higher Education Institutions to position themselves as primary incubators for this digital-breaking evolution, ensuring internationalization is felt at home:
“Global Education should also encompass the majority of demographics who may not have access to cross-border travel.”
The session concluded with an insightful presentation by ๐ ๐ฟ๐. ๐๐๐๐ฐ๐ต๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ฎ ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ผ๐, Assistant to the University President for Foreign Affairs at Lampang Rajabhat University, Thailand. Discussing “Building Partnerships with International Partners,” she reminded delegates that successful global ties go beyond formal agreements, beautifully noting:
“The Best Partnerships are built on a foundation of genuine friendship.”
The success of this international forum was driven by the presence and support of the universityโs top management. Directors and heads under the Division of Local and International Affairs were in full attendance to serve as panelists for the Panel Discussion.
๐๐๐๐. ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ณ. ๐ฉ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ ๐ ๐ฎ๐ ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐บ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ผ of the Public Relations and Information Office moderated the discussion, joined in by ๐ฉ๐ฃ ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐น๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ผ, ๐๐ฟ. ๐๐ฒ๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐น ๐๐ฒ๐น ๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ถ๐น๐น๐ผ for International Relations, ๐๐ฟ. ๐๐ฟ๐บ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ๐ผ ๐๐๐ป๐ถ๐ผ for Special Projects, ๐๐ฟ. ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฆ๐ถ๐บ๐ฏ๐๐น๐ฎ๐ป for Continuing Professional Development and Faculty and Student Mobility, ๐๐ฟ. ๐๐ฒ๐๐๐๐ฎ ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ต๐ฒ๐ for International Extension Partnerships and Dr. Cristeta Dulos of Global Citizenship Education (who joined online)
By bringing together these diverse minds and institutions from across Southeast Asia, PSU continues to solidify its footprint as a premier gateway for internationalizationโfostering friendships, breaking digital barriers and re-imagining education for a globalized world.
As the digital screens of this forum came to end, PSU reinforced its vital role as a proactive leader in regional educational integration. By actively breaking down borders and cultivating meaningful relationships with neighbor nations, the university continues to ensure that its students and faculty are uniquely prepared for a highly interconnected world.
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