IZN initiatives launched at PJAC and AJAC
Strengthening its thrust to translate local strengths into global opportunities, Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), through the Office for International Linkages and Partnerships (ILP), rolled out a suite of internationalization initiatives anchored on technology-enabled learning, short-term mobility, creative collaboration, and global academic engagement on January 21 at Teatro Ilocandia.
During the Academic and Professional Journey Across Cultures (AJAC & PJAC), ILP Director Jeanette Dials, who led the launch of these future borderless engagements, said that internationalization is not a single activity, but “a deliberate and inclusive strategy that opens classrooms, cultures, and conversations that allow students and faculty to learn with the world, and from the world.”
At the forefront of the internationalization initiatives is the “Stallion COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning),” a flagship program under MMSU’s internationalization agenda that integrates global learning directly into the classroom. Implemented in partnership with three international universities—one in Indonesia and two in Japan—Stallion COIL leverages digital platforms to facilitate cross-border collaboration among students and faculty.
There are also international short-term programs that are being proposed. One of which is the “MMSU InLeaD: Virtual Cultural and Gastronomic Exploration in the Ilocos Region, Philippines,” a short-course, non-credit international program. Another short-term program launched was the “Creative Convergence: A Global Fusion of Music, Art, and Dance,” a two-week immersive international program that positions the performing arts as universal languages of expression and collaboration.
Further reinforcing its global academic engagement, Prof. Dials announced that the university will be the official host of the Aramid Spring Conference on March 26 to 27 this year. MMSU will also host the Global Conference on Teacher Education, Innovation and Research on April 28-30. Capping these initiatives is the launch of the MMSU Global Licensure Assistance Program, an alumni-centered initiative under the Alumni Relations Office in partnership with the MMSU Global Association Alumni, Inc. – Hawaii Chapter.
Meanwhile, AJAC gathered students with international exposure to share insights gained from academic exchanges, credit transfer programs, global conferences, and international competitions. Through this, MMSU students reflected on learning experiences acquired in countries such as Canada, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Hawaii, India, Japan, Malaysia, and Vietnam, emphasizing how global exposure shaped their academic and personal development.
It was divided into four panel discussions: Communicating Brilliant Ideas: A Novice Perspective, International Academic Exchange for Development, Knowledge Exchange in Sustaining Internationalization, and Optimizing Education: An Internationalization Initiative.
The program also included a memorial tribute to Atty. Lili Freida Milla, Director of the Commission on Higher Education–International Affairs Service (CHED-IAS). The tribute honored her significant contributions to internationalization in Philippine higher education and recognized her strong support for mobility initiatives that have benefitted MMSU students and faculty.
In his message, MMSU President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr., hoped to see a more diverse cohort of international students in such events in the next few years as the university expands its internationalization efforts.
Adding to the program’s highlights was an inspiring talk by Hon. Michael Christophe R. Agustin, President of the Laoag City SK Federation, who shared his journey as a former MMSU student and as an international student in India. He spoke about the challenges and opportunities of studying abroad, encouraging students to pursue global learning experiences and remain open to lifelong learning beyond borders.
“International exposure is less about crossing borders and more about opening minds,” noting how travelling is not just about seeing new places but how one listens, understands, and respects differences.
The session was graced by Vice President for Planning and Strategic Foresight Mee Jay Domingo and Prof. Dials, international faculty and students from Guangxi Health Science College, and SEA Teacher participants from Universitas Muhammadiyah Purwokerto and Universitas PGRI Kalimantan.
In the afternoon, PJAC convened university vice presidents and faculty members from various colleges who shared their professional trajectories, highlighting multidisciplinary training, international engagements, and cross-sectoral collaborations that have shaped their academic and leadership practice.
Serving as guest speaker for the afternoon session, Ms. Rochelle Miguel, Team Lead for Special Projects of the Philippine-American Education Foundation (PAEF), also known as the Fulbright Commission in the Philippines, shared her journey as a Fulbright Scholarship alumna. Drawing from her international academic and professional experiences, she challenged participants to pursue global learning pathways to broaden disciplinary perspectives and enhance professional competencies.
The annual PJAC and AJAC features students’ and teachers’ cross-cultural experiences on advanced training, leadership formation, and scholarly engagements across international platforms, institutional service, and international training. (𝘞𝘉𝘉/𝘚𝘊𝘐/𝘈𝘙𝘋)
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