College of Arts and Sciences faculty members get ready with their Internationalization Project Proposals.

From left to right: Dr. Bustamante (Chair, International Relations), Dr. Greif (College Dean), Ms. Cachapero (Resource Speaker), Engr. Camus (Resource Speaker), Dr. Ferrer (Resource Speaker), Dr. Moratilla (Resource Speaker), Ms. Beltran (Director, Office of the External Affairs and International Linkages), Dr. Aharul (Chair, International Relations)

In the name of crimson and gold, various Departments and Research Institutes under College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) of Cebu Normal University held a three-day training and workshop called Internationalization Cascading and Training-Workshop held at Summit Galleria Hotel on April 12-14, 2023. 

Bearing the theme “Building Academic Mobility and International Partnership Opportunities,” the goal of the said event was to bolster the university’s high-caliber education and services through solid collaboration and strategic planning for internationalization (IZN), such as proposing projects that will globalize students, increase cultural competence and diversity, broaden the research horizon of the university, and strengthen its institutional capacity. 

Participants crafting their internationalization project proposals during the breakout sessions.

Dr. Daisy Palompon, former OIC-President, emphasized the CNU internationalization initiatives

Atty. Lily Freida Milla, the Director of the Commission on Higher Education International Affairs Services (CHED-IAS), graced the event via Zoom with her inputs on what the CHED envisions the Philippine Higher Education Institutions to be in relation to building academic partnerships for quality education.

Cebu Normal University, being a leading multidisciplinary research university, was recently rated an overall three stars by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), a global leading provider of services, analytics, and insights to higher education institutions in the world. The international badge it acquired is one of the significant leaps in strengthening its international profile, not to mention that QS gave a 5-star rating for its inclusivity while 4 stars for academic development, employability, and social responsibility.

To increase the university’s global presence, CNU launched a program called Cross-Cultural Communication Virtual Exchange (CCCVEX), striking a vibrant partnership with Douglas College in New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada. The said program, which will start on August–December 2023, offers Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), which is a competent platform for faculty members to facilitate students and enrich their intercultural competence through the use of technology.

The devastating impact of environmental destruction has reached the poles of the planet, leaving its icy and deadly mark. It has become pervasive, manifesting across far-flung continents, boundless oceans, and even in desolate deserts. Various factors have contributed to the dramatic depletion that many environmental organizations strive to mitigate. However, achieving large-scale change can be challenging without initiating individual transformations. This is why providing environmental education to individuals can be a catalyst for meaningful change to begin.

The Green Curriculum, based on the UNESCO Global Education 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 4.0 on Quality Education, features online courses on sustainability and an intensified Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) curriculum for the Integrated Laboratory School (ILS). As a committed research university, it took part in the alignment of goals to achieve environmental stewardship.

In pursuit of enriching the student’s values, knowledge, and skills in regard to promoting proactive environmental measures, Cebu Normal University (CNU) initiated a seminar-workshop for the teachers with the theme of “Greening the Curriculum” held on February 20, 2020, at Tandang Sora Hall. The College of Teacher Education (CTE) department took the lead under the guidance of Dr. Jennifer Paño, the ESD Focal Person, who spearheaded the preparation and execution of the event.

The workshop primarily focuses on crafting a curriculum for each grade level embedded with values that promote eco-friendly practices and sustainable objectives. These objectives will be incorporated into classroom instruction, facilitating transformative change in each student. Dr. Juan Robertino D. Macalde, a Senior Specialist of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO), served as the resource speaker for the ILS mentors. He provided significant insights that can assist in the development of an improved module for basic education, which can serve as a model learning material. At the end of the workshop, teachers were able to develop their own modules incorporated with environmental measures.

The academe holds great significance in equipping the next generation with the knowledge and skills necessary to address environmental issues. The integration of the sustainability into the curriculum and providing opportunities for students to engage in environmental activities can make them an agent for change. Teachers can also inspire and empower young people to make a positive impact on the world.

As the world continues to grapple with environmental challenges, it is crucial that we recognize the important role that education can play in creating a more sustainable future. With the guidance and support of teachers, students can become agents of change and take meaningful action to protect our planet.

“Internationalizing the Classroom and the Curriculum: Onboarding the Faculty towards Internationalization”

DAY 1

The Cebu Normal University External Affairs and International Linkages Office, together with the College of Teacher Education, conducted a training workshop entitled, The College of Teacher Education Internationalization: The Onboarding with the theme, “Internationalizing the Classroom and the Curriculum: Onboarding the Faculty towards Internationalization”, held at Summit Galleria Hotel on April 19-21, 2023. This is to orient, capacitate, and engage faculty members in the college through the program chairs, coordinators, and focal persons of the unit. A total of 25 participants reported to Summit Galleria Hotel for 3 days.

The formal talk started with the Director IV, International Affairs Staff of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Atty. Lily Frieda Milla, who emphasized internationalization in Philippine higher education. She congratulated CNU for reaching three stars in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Ranking 2023. She shared the CHED framework for internationalization and a list of initiatives in her office. A number of internationalization programs funded by CHED are also announced to challenge the participants for their active involvement.

She shared a talk with regard to Internationalization Trends and Future Directions in Research, Policy, and Practice. She initiated an activity where the attendees of the training discussed different issues related to internationalization and how to resolve it. The participants were very engaged as they asked questions and shared their experiences with internationalization. The policies of the university were discussed and at the same time issues that needed discussion from the higher-level administrators. The lecture of Dr. Valenzuela also tackled the possibilities for conducting internationalization at home since in this model, lesser expenses are required and at the same time, this is very doable.

Then, via Zoom, the Director of International Affairs at Tarlac Agricultural University, Dr. Christine Ferrer presented the topic regarding Internationalization Partnership, Models, and Framework. Dr. Ferrer highlighted the importance of benchmarking and mechanisms in achieving the internationalization journey of the College of Teacher Education. At the end of Dr. Ferrer’s talk, she gave a template for the workshop.

DAY 2

The fourth talk, The Nature and Concept of Transnational Education (TNE) commenced with Dr. Ethel Agnes P. Valenzuela, the ASEAN adviser of The Future of Education, as the speaker. She started her talk by sharing the online course she created in CHED, in which she encouraged the attendees and the rest of the faculty members in CNU to enroll themselves and accomplish promptly in order to be recognized as one of the pioneer graduates.

Introduction to Transnational Education as the first module traced the pillars of internationalization in higher education. Dr. Valenzuela said that enrolling in internationalization programs and courses are a great investment for oneself and the institution because it maximizes opportunities and opens new doors for partnerships. As such, she urged the attendees to do the same to benefit CNU, especially since the university is gearing towards opening its CTE IZN plans and projects to the body soon.

Cebu Normal University (CNU) is the only Philippine university with its own exhibit in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Higher Education Summit: Asia Pacific 2022 held on 8-10 November 2022 in Intercontinental Jakarta, Pondok Pinang, Jakarta, Indonesia. Other than the exhibits, the summit featured workshops and interactive panels by experts in the academe for innovation with the theme, “The Next Big Thing: Addressing new opportunities and existing challenges in APAC higher education”.

The QS Higher Education Summit exhibits provided an avenue for CNU to showcase the offerings of its colleges primarily in the areas of instruction and research. The delegation was led by Director Naila Y. Beltran of the External Affairs and International Linkages Office with Dr. Michelle Mae J. Olvido (Presidential Assistant for Planning and Development) and Dr. Laurence L. Garcia (Board and University Secretary and Director for the Research Institute for Ageing and Health). With 237 universities from 39 countries participating in the summit, CNU was able to enter into preliminary discussions for possible partnerships with 34 higher education institutions to add to the university’s efforts toward internationalization.

At present, CNU is undergoing assessment using the QS stars rating system to better understand its competitiveness using international rating and

benchmarking which was made possible with the support of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) through the Fostering World Class Philippine Universities Project Grant in the amount of Php 2.5M. § MMO

Cebu Normal University (CNU) successfully convened education leaders across different institutions in a virtual platform to share experiences and discuss ways to overcome challenges in the higher education sector brought by Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).

This platform was called Higher Education Connect (HEdConnect). The first session of HEdConnect was live-streamed last Tuesday, June 30 at the CNU Public Information Office (PIO) Facebook account of the University.

The first session of HEdConnect dwelled on the theme, Reframing the Landscape of Learning: The Leader’s Voices.

These panelists included: Atty. Liza Corro, University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu Chancellor; Dr. Eduardo Ompad, Region VII Association of Local Colleges and Universities (ALCU) President and Lapu-Lapu City College (LLCC) President; Dr. Ethel Agnes Valenzuela, Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Secretariat Director; Dr. Ma. Imogen Quilicot, Siquijor State College (SSC) President; and Fr. Narciso Cellan Jr., University of San Carlos (USC) President.