03/09/2025
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Two faculty members from Cagayan Valley Computer and Information Technology (CVCITC) took part in the 2025 iRAISE (Internationalization for Rankings Advancement, Integration, Strategic Engagement, and Excellence) program, organized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Regional Office II in partnership with St. Paul University Philippines on August 28โ29, 2025. CVCITC was represented by Michelle Vicente, Asst. Quality Assurance Officer and Dr. Lanie O. Corpuz, International Relations Officer and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
The two-day program served as a platform to equip Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) with strategies to strengthen their global footprint. The discussions centered on international ranking methodologies, curriculum integration, cross-border academic collaboration, and ASEAN youth mobility initiatives.
It brought together participants from various higher education institutions to enhance global ties, promote academic collaboration, and prepare students and teachers for international competitiveness as well as creating strategic planning for international academic partnerships.
The conference also emphasized the importance of embedding global practices and investing in capacity building to further strengthen higher education.
โiRAISE is more than a programโit is a vision,โ declared CHED Region II Regional Director, Dr. Julieta M. Paras, CESO III. โIt is our commitment to elevate the quality of institutional global partnerships and align them with the highest international benchmarks. Internationalization is not just an option, it is a strategic imperative. Rankings may validate our efforts, but they are not the destination. They are only a means to showcase the excellence, relevance, and impact of our institutions. As we move forward, let integration, collaboration, and innovation be our compass as we pursue true global excellence.โ
As host partner, SPUP President Sr. Merceditas Ang, SPC, reaffirmed her institutionโs strong support, underscoring the role of internationalization in transforming HEIs into globally recognized institutions. She emphasized that empowering HEIs begins with fostering global recognition not merely as a process, but as a commitment to uplift institutions toward excellence and competitiveness globally.
A key moment of the conference was the keynote address of Atty. Lily Freida Macabangun-Milla, CESO IV, Director-in-Charge of the CHED International Affairs Service, ably represented by Dr. Laurene Chua-Garcia, Technical Expert on TNHE at CHED and Managing Director of Strategy & Innovation at Picasso Management Group Inc.
With the theme โASEAN HEIs Rising: Internationalization in the 21st Century,โ the keynote underscored the pivotal role of higher education institutions in navigating global academic landscapes, fostering cross-border partnerships, and driving transformative strategies that position ASEAN as a competitive player in international higher education. Followed by her talk on Strategic Internationalization: Beyond Visibility, she challenged HEIs to move past the notion of internationalization as mere participation in rankings or showcase activities. Instead, she emphasized that true internationalization must be intentional, deeply embedded in institutional priorities, and designed to create long-term impact.
Dr. Engelbert Pasag, Vice President for Internationalization at Panpacific University, Urdaneta City, Pangasinan, emphasized that partnerships are essential to sustaining international initiatives. He underscored the need to integrate internationalization into teaching, research, governance, and student servicesโtransforming it from an isolated initiative into a culture that permeates institutions. He also guided participants through a Peer Review of Institutional Ranking Profiles, enabling HEIs to benchmark, identify gaps, and align strategies with global standards.
Meanwhile, CHED Region I Regional Director, Dr. Christine Nabor Ferrer, also delivered a substantive lecture on TNHE, equipping HEIs with strategic insights and practical approaches to strengthen their participation in cross-border education.
In a parallel session, youth perspectives took center stage in the ASEAN Youth Voices, a reflective dialogue that amplified student leadersโ roles in shaping policies on inbound and outbound mobility. The session aligned with the Philippinesโ upcoming ASEAN Chairship, emphasizing the youthโs vital role in advancing regional integration.
With his current role as the President of the University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific (UMAP), Dr. Jeremy Godofredo Morales, SPUP Director for International Relations, encouraged Region II HEIs to join UMAP, highlighting the vast opportunities it offers for faculty and student exchanges.
Importantly, the dialogues dispelled the notion that internationalization is exclusive to resource-rich institutions. Speakers emphasized that all HEIs regardless of size or financial capacity can meaningfully engage through inclusive models, mobility programs, and sustainable partnerships.
Concluding the event, participants affirmed their collective commitment to strengthening global linkages, expanding student and faculty mobility, and embedding internationalization across institutional processes to ensure inclusivity, sustainability, and long-term impact.
With this renewed drive, 2025 iRAISE stands proud as a transformative milestone for Region II.
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