In an opportune invitation for international collaboration and a commitment towards service-learning, Cebu Normal University (CNU) recently attended a meeting with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The exciting gathering, which took place on 15 February, 2024, was hosted by Dr. Gael McDonald at the
Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu.

Dr. McDonald essentially gave an orientation on the upcoming projects to be launched by USAID. Correspondingly, she invited CNU to submit project proposals. The USAID is the principal U.S. agency that promotes international development through partnerships and investments, working in different sectors and supporting global operations and management.

CNU was represented by Dr. Jay Picardal, the Vice President for Research, Publication, Innovation, Commercialization, and Extension, Dr. Genara Pacaña, Officer-in-Charge of the Office for Internationalization, Dr. Venus Cortes, Dean of the College of Teacher Education, and Dr. Janet Mananay, the IZN Chair of the College of Teacher Education. The meeting provided an exciting opportunity for CNU to engage in meaningful conversations as well as to promote the university and its ongoing projects and programs.

Dr. Pacaña had met other USAID representatives during the MAKING THE ICONS: 2023 Philippine Higher Education International Relations (PHE IR) Year-End Networking and Collaboration Workshop hosted by the CHED International Affairs Staff last December which resulted to this meeting.