Global Minds Unite: USLT Holds Internationalization Summit for Academic Leaders

Tuguegarao City, Cagayan — In its steadfast pursuit of global academic engagement, the University of Saint Louis Tuguegarao (USLT) held an Internationalization Summit on July 21, 2025, with the theme, “Global Minds, Global Curricula: Empowering Academic Leaders for Internationalization.” The event brought together fifty-five (55) academic leaders—including advisory board members, office heads, academic deans, department heads, and program chairs—to explore and embrace global strategies in education.


Opening the summit, Dr. Luisa B. Aquino, Vice President for Academics, emphasized the urgency of moving beyond knowledge acquisition toward actionable global initiatives. “Learning is not enough without actions,” she affirmed, setting the tone for a day rich in insight and strategic vision.


Rev. Fr. Macwayne N. Maniwang, CICM, PhD, USLT President, followed with a message underscoring that internationalization must be deeply embedded in the institution’s academic culture. “Internationalization is not just seen on travels and hosting but in bringing global perspectives in everything we do,” he stressed, calling for a deeper integration of international values in curriculum, pedagogy, and institutional identity.


The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Jocelyn Carag, Education Supervisor II and Internationalization Focal Person of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Region 2, representing Dr. Julieta M. Paras, CESO III, CHED Regional Director. Dr. Carag challenged participants to reframe their understanding of internationalization: “It is not just about mobility or rankings, but about being globally-oriented in how we teach, research, and pursue our academic endeavors. It is about understanding our global community and embracing its challenges.”


The summit’s centerpiece lecture was delivered by Dr. Lourdes Tanhueco-Nepomuceno, Professor from the University of the Philippines-Diliman, who shared her expertise on “Charting Global Pathways: Strategic Leadership in Designing and Launching Internationalization Programs.” She stressed that “Internationalization is about nurturing relationships,” and urged academic leaders to continuously upskill and reskill to remain globally competitive and responsive.


The afternoon session featured a hybrid sharing session with international partners from Indonesia and Thailand, focusing on “Sustainable Partnerships: Long-Term Strategies for Global Collaboration.” Among the distinguished sharers were: Mr. Asrori, Director of the Office of International Affairs of Universitas Negeri Surabaya (UNESA), Indonesia; Ms. Nastiti Primadyastuti, Senior Staff for Partnerships and Consortium of Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS), Indonesia; and Dr. Jonathan R. Carreon, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Huachiew Chalermprakiet University (HCU), Thailand.


Their presentations and best practices added depth to the summit dialogue, enriching participants’ understanding of sustained, mutually beneficial international partnerships.


Culminating the day, Dr. Anjanette F. Batulan, Director of the GloCal Partnerships and Engagement (GPE) Office, delivered the closing remarks using a striking metaphor: “Internationalization is like upgrading from a local SIM card to a global data plan. It requires investment, but expands our world and delivers lasting value.”


The summit reaffirmed USLT’s institutional commitment to global excellence, with both Dr. Aquino and Fr. Maniwang charting a clear and compelling direction for the university’s internationalization journey—one rooted in academic innovation, global collaboration, and transformative leadership.


Organized through the GPE Office in collaboration with key academic units, the summit highlights USLT’s ongoing efforts to align its programs and practices with global standards and to nurture a culture of international awareness and collaboration across the university community.


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