Towards borderless education! 

Internationalization played a central role in the talks of Hon. Agnes E. Tolentino, Regional Director (RD) of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Region IV-A; Atty. Noel Alberto S. Omandap, Vice President for Development and External Affairs (VPDEA) of the Batangas State University (BatSU)-The National Engineering University; and Mr. E Way Chong, Regional Director for Southeast Asia and Japan of the Quacquarelli-Symonds (QS), who served as the resource speakers for the three-day seminar-workshop at the Lima Park Hotel in Lipa-Malvar, Batangas.

On the topic of “Regional Initiatives in Support of HEIs’ Internationalization,” RD Tolentino went over the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) and Regional Development Plan (RDP), the role of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in realizing the goals of the said plans, the development challenges and strategies, and the government initiatives towards internationalization. After presenting the challenges the country is facing in regard to education, she then presented the strategies that HEIs can venture into such as pursuing knowledge co-creation linkages among HEIs, optimizing the roles of universities as innovation hubs and incubation centers, and developing alternative assessment and certification methods.

Meanwhile, Atty. Omandap divided his lecture on the topic of “Internationalization in the Philippine HEI Sector” into three parts: mindset, action, and experience. He first expounded the concept of internationalization, lifting from the CMO No. 55, s. 2016; the importance of internationalization globally, nationally, and institutionally; and the positioning of internationalization towards a new regard. Atty. Omandap proceeded with the pillars of the internationalization of Philippine HEIs which are “at home” and “cross-border,” with the former focusing on collaboration among institutions without the learners leaving their national territories and the latter involving mobility. Finally, the VP of BatSU shared the journey of his institution in crafting its strategic development plan, focusing on its internationalization efforts and initiatives.

Finally, Mr. E Way introduced the QS ranking among the participants composed of the LSPU senior and administrative officials, heads of offices, and representatives. He provided a brief background of the QS, QS Stars methodology and its criteria, and the different ranking systems the LSPU may engage in. During the open forum, Mr. E Way also provided insights on the common questions raised about the QS such as the fee for the submission of the institution for the ranking and the modality in the conduct of the assessment.

Also forming part of the three-day review and assessment were the talks of Dr. Ruby B. Brion on Gender Responsive International Strategies for Higher Education; reports of the Vice Presidents and Campus Directors; report on the risk register; updates on PBB 2023 Guidelines, Freedom of Information, and Client Satisfaction Survey; Baliktanaw SDP 2018-2022; agency performance report; performance indicators 2024; cascading of the university targets for 2024; and statement of commitment.

During his baliktanaw report on the last day of the event, Dr. Adriel Roman, Director for Planning and Development, shared that along with the significant results of the accomplishments of the university from 2018 to 2022 came the insight into the need to strengthen the LSPU’s internationalization initiatives, thereby further highlighting the focused theme of the review and assessment.

Dr. Mario R. Briones, University President, reminded the participating key officials of the university that the LSPU Strategic Plan is “our roadmap,” noting that it is “not just a document but a promise to them [stakeholders]… to provide the best quality education.”

As the LSPU Strategic Plan 2020-2024 reaches its scope of realization, the crafting of a new and updated plan is anticipated in the year to come with the integration of the internationalization component across organizational outcomes. [LSPU Information Office]