BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO’
NUEVA ECIJA (May 27)—A SCIENCE City of Muñoz-based state university in Central Luzon received the 1st Philippine Higher Education Internalization Award together with 17 other higher education institutions (HEIs) during a virtual awarding ceremony on May 19 via Zoom and Facebook page of the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd).
Receiving the said award was Central Luzon State University (CLSU) in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija through its entry, the “International Filipino Language and Culture Program.”
Of the other 17 HEIs, the Philippine Normal University, Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific and Saint Paul University Philippines were the top three universities.
Other awardees were Aklan State University, Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology, Ateneo de Davao University, Ateneo de Manila University, Capiz State University, Our Lady of Fatima University, Cebu Technological University, Central Bicol State University of Agriculture, Iloilo State University, Saint Louis University, Samar State University, San Pedro College and the University of the Philippines – Manila (College of Public Health).
The CHEd in collaboration with the University of the Philippines-Open University or UPOU launched this First Philippine Higher Education Internationalization Award to recognize the efforts of HEIs in the implementation of internationalization initiatives that are innovative, creative, inclusive and sustainable.
According to CLSU President Dr. Edgar Orden, the university’s entry exposes and immerses the foreign students enrolled for a degree, international exchange students, and/or visitors to the experiences inherent to learning the Filipino language and culture not only in the classroom but also in the community.
Orden noted that as CLSU strives to keep up with globalization and excellent standards, the university gives importance to international linkages.
He said this program creates a network of Filipinos in the Philippines, particularly the CLSU community and its international clients, to stay connected and continue to exchange resources.
Through their internationalization initiatives, they help prepare stakeholders to become global citizens with a purpose, he added.
“This program also highlights the vision of CLSU to become a world-class national university,” Orden said.
During his acceptance speech, Orden recognized the concerted efforts of the CLSU community in bringing the university to the forefront of establishing linkages and partnerships around the globe.
He said CLSU is one with the CHEd in realizing internationalization initiatives.