Group photo courtesy of Fulbright Philippines, showing internationalization officers from different higher education institutions in the Philippines.
In a strategic move to strengthen the global reach of Philippine higher education institutions (HEIs), academic leaders and internationalization officers from across the country convened at the two-day training-workshop titled “Unlocking Global Gateways: Strengthening Internationalization and Exploring Opportunities for PH HEIs in the United States.” Held on July 17-18, 2025 at Greenfield Tower in Mandaluyong City, the event provided a platform to share best practices, policies, and opportunities for enhancing international engagement.
Representing Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao was Ms. Katrina Andrea Diligencia, International Programs Associate of the Office for Corporate Partnerships – Center for International Programs, who joined fellow participants in learning best practices for enhancing institutional competitiveness through international partnerships and mobility.
The workshop featured key insights from Dr. Jill E. Blondin, Vice Provost for Global Initiatives at Virginia Commonwealth University and Fulbright Specialist, who presented foundational strategies to help Philippine HEIs better align with global standards in education and research.
Participants also heard from Mr. Kenmark Hernandez of CHED MIMAROPA, who clarified provisions under CHED Memorandum Order No. 3, s. 2025, offering guidance on international travel and mobility protocols for faculty and staff. Representatives from Fulbright Philippines and the U.S. Embassy further enriched the discussions by showcasing a wide range of academic exchange programs available to Filipino educators and students.
Group photo courtesy of Fulbright Philippines, capturing Ms. Katrina Diligencia sharing a light moment with fellow participants during the Fulbright Workshop.
The event spotlighted alumni sharing sessions, where past participants of U.S.-based programs recounted their transformative academic experiences abroad and how these shaped their careers and perspectives.
Organized by the Romblon State University in partnership with Fulbright Philippines and the U.S. Embassy, the workshop underscored the importance of international global collaborations, institutional branding, and strategic mobility initiatives as drivers of internationalization.
By the end of the event, participants were equipped not only with a deeper understanding of global education systems but also with actionable tools to develop or refine their own institution’s internationalization roadmap, thus opening more doors for partnerships, innovation, and global competitiveness.
This initiative directly contributes to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It supports SDG 4 – Quality Education by equipping institutions with knowledge and strategies to raise educational standards through global partnerships and mobility programs. It advances SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities by broadening access to international experiences for students and faculty from developing countries, helping close opportunity gaps. Finally, it exemplifies SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals by fostering collaboration among Philippine HEIs, CHED, Fulbright, U.S. universities, and international stakeholders in a shared mission to enhance educational systems through cross-border cooperation.