By Daniel P. Tapaoan, Jr. 

Truly global. 

Faculty and students of the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) cascaded their learning experiences in various international exchange programs last year in the 2022 Professional and Academic Journey across Cultures (PJAC and AJAC), February 22. 

A part of the MMSU’s 44th Foundation Anniversary celebration, a total of 36 teaching personnel and students served as presenters. 

The number includes 14 faculty members who earned graduate studies abroad, participated in international workshops and short-term courses, joined in international credit transfer programs, and were tapped as lecturers or trainers in international conferences. 

Grouped into four, faculty-presenters were Dr. Byron Joseph A. Hallar, Prof. Franklin V. Ibana, Dr. Charlie B. Batin, and Prof. Krismary Sharmaine D. Yapo (on responsive capacitation in the new normal); Prof. Peter James I. Gann, Prof. Arlene Lu-Gonzales, and Prof. Glisten Faith S. Pascua (on competency development towards internationalization); Dr. Lawrence A. Eclarin, Prof. Rhea R. Espiritu, and Prof. JR V. Cubangbang (on knowledge exchange in sustaining internationalization); and Prof. Lee Carlo F. Simon, Prof. Emil James P. Tanagon, Dr. Vida V. Antonio, and Engr. Karen Joyce Santiago (on professional exchange for development). 

More so, 22 students who won in international competitions, joined in short-term courses and credit transfer programs, and received citations in thematic camps shared their experiences during the AJAC. 

They were also grouped into four panel sessions with their corresponding topics: communicating research ideas in the new normal: a novice perspective; innovating education for internationalization; international academic exchange for development; and optimizing education’s new normal: an internationalization initiative. 

Student-presenters were Sean Keith Rafael (BS Sociology IV), Nickjohn Ibuyat (BS Meteorology IV), Jimmbeth Zenila P. Fabia (BS Biology IV), Kendrick Cyrus A. Acidera (BS Mechanical Engineering IV), Kriezher Veehna M. Pagatpatan (BS Chemical Engineering IV), Christian Realin (BS Electronics Engineering IV); Arbie Mariz Revilla (BS Civil Engineering IV), and Reynald Salvador, Jr. (BS Computer Engineer IV) for Panel 1; Manisha Jeanette Arellano, Kaeresvil Arellano, and John Eliezer Galano (BS Information Technology IV), John Donyl Suguitan and Hershey Sumalde (Bachelor of Secondary Education II) for Panel 2; James Carlo Lucas (BS Business Administration major in Marketing Management III), Archie John Blas (BSE IV), Elen June Ancangel (BA Communication II), and Hector Ferdinand Tutop (BS Nursing II) for Panel 3; and Jamie Ann R. De Guzman (BS Marine Biology III), Jara Nina R. Asuncion (BS Fisheries IV), Lira Gonzales and Guiller R. Lopez (BS Development Communication IV), and Dave Louie M. Baptista (BSE IV) for Panel 4. 

“I am very much delighted that I was able to inspire my fellows in MMSU to explore the many opportunities abroad being offered by the university’s strong and expanded internationalization efforts,” said Arcangel, a communication student-participant.

Dr. Mee Jay A. Domingo, director of university’s internationalization, linkages and partnerships, said the directorate persisted in staging this year’s virtual forum “because we wanted to encourage other faculty and students to try the programs that we and our partner-universities offer. 

For her part, MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis expressed: “Our internationalization initiatives have enabled us to upgrade our material and human resources to enhance our global competitiveness, thus, getting closer to become a globally-recognized university.”

The forum can be accessed through this links: https://bit.ly/375Sm3j and https://bit.ly/3Cpwv2D. (JVBT, StratCom)